Local matters. Le sfide e le opportunità dell’informazione locale

The articles collected in this special issue discuss how local journalism is trying to redefine its identity against the economic, cultural and technological challenges of the contemporary mediascape. What can be observed is a field hanging in the balance between tradition and innovation, but also threatened by many tensions that risk compromising its autonomy and capacity to build a harmonious relationship with its audience. While focusing on various specializations of local journalism (local press, hyperlocal media, sports, citizen and market-oriented journalism), the contributions here collected share the idea that if there is for local journalism any possibility of keeping together economic sustainability and social relevance, this can hardly be achieved without a decisive investment in the “local” that matters.