Abstract

This study examines what news consumers in Sweden identify as important for local journalism, and how they regard the role of ‘hyperlocals’ in relation to other media. Results reveal that respondents are partial to locally-anchored editorial newsrooms, covet high standards when it comes to ethics, and call for coverage that is representative of the area – in particular, positive news. The conclusions strengthen earlier research that journalistic start-ups often pursue a closer and more reciprocal relationship with their audience, but also point to how hyperlocal media can be a natural part of the local media ecology. This adds new relevant information to the field of hyperlocal research, where the knowledge about the media-consumer perspective is limited.