Insights on Information in North Dakota Communities

A new statewide study offers a rare, data-driven look at the health of North Dakota’s local newspapers and what may be required to keep them alive.

In this episode of The Backstory, NDNC reporter Michael Standaert discusses his reporting on a two-year research project examining the state’s newspaper ecosystem. The study surveyed publishers, journalists, and news consumers, and took a close look at communities that no longer have a local paper. The findings highlight growing pressure on small, independent newspapers, while also revealing how readers perceive — and value — local news when it disappears.

“I think they see the value of those…of having a paper now that they’re gone.” – Michael Standaert, North Dakota News Cooperative

Michael explains how North Dakota’s effort has drawn national attention, what the data shows about consumer habits and expectations, and why the study points toward the need for newspapers to clearly communicate their value to the communities they serve. The conversation also explores how this research fits into broader efforts to stabilize and strengthen local journalism across the state.