Facebook says it can’t find enough local content to support a widespread local news feed. So, it’s turning its findings over to those researching so-called news deserts.
The “Today In” service, available in only 400 US cities, provides users with local news and information but Facebook says its efforts have been hampered by a lack of news outlets providing original reporting.
Around 1,800 American newspapers have folded in the last 15 years and newsroom employment has been cut nearly in half, according to the University of North Carolina.
A community is declared unsuitable for the service if technicians can’t find a singe day within a month with at least five news items to share. Facebook plans to award grants to those with ideas to make more news available.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/18/facebook-local-news-project-frustrated-by-lack-of-local-newspapers
