Local news has gotten a bad rap.

There’s no denying smartphones and social media are a part of our daily lives. Who has time to wait for the news to be printed tomorrow morning when you can see a live update in .5 seconds?

Really, I thought my workday would come to a screeching halt when Apple introduced the new iPhone 4S last week.

But ironically, a new study has shown that many of us still go “old school” and rely on local news stations as our go-to source for breaking news, weather, traffic and politics.

The “how people learn about their local community” study by the Pew Internet Project found that for breaking news, weather, traffic or political stories, the local news is the media outlet of choice.

The study found that for breaking news stories:
• 55% of people choose the local news outlet
• 17% of people choose social media sites and mobile apps
• 16% of people choose Internet
• 14% of people choose local newspapers combined

The study also found that for weather or traffic information:
• 58% of people choose the local news outlet
• 32% of people choose Internet
• 10% of people choose local newspapers combined

While social media and mobile devices are significant to younger demographics, 53% still use the local news to gather information. 

So what’s keeping local news afloat? Research shows that it provides a personal touch that can’t be found on other platforms. Consumers enjoy getting to know local anchors and reporters, including their personal interjections in stories.

Additionally, TV news can also display a higher-quality picture than social media sites and mobile apps. As we continue to lose face time with each other, local news provides an additional opportunity for the human element in our everyday lives.

While the local news may seem outdated and insufficient to some, you can bet it still holds an important role in information-gathering today. Making the relationship between the local PR pro and local journalist just as crucial as ever.