As local journalism fades across small towns and villages, a growing silence threatens democracy, accountability, and the right to be informed
Media deserts remain an under-researched phenomenon in the Balkan media context, but the reality on the ground shows that the region is far from immune to this growing issue.
Imagine that you are somewhere on a beach in the Balkans. The sun is low while kids are running through the shallow waves. A dog sleeps under the umbrella. You look for a local newspaper. Something to read, something about this place. The local kiosk has drinks, postcards, ice cream… But no news.
The last newspaper came a few days ago. There is no update on the fire in the hills, and there is nothing about the missing fisherman. No word on why the nearby village has no water.
The stories are here. But no one is telling them.
Across the Balkans, more and more small towns and villages are falling quiet. Its not because nothing happens, but because no local media is left.
These places are so-called media deserts, places without news, without coverage, without a voice. Sounds familiar?
Those living in the larger cities of the Balkans still have options when it comes to staying informed, from traditional outlets to digital media. But have you ever wondered what it’s like in the smaller towns across your country, especially those with fewer than 10,000 residents? Do they have access to media that covers local issues and everyday concerns?
In many of these places, there isn’t a single local or regional newspaper, not daily, not weekly, not even monthly. Some don’t have any local media at all. No radio. No television.
This phenomenon is known as a media desert. Multiple studies show that media deserts are on the rise everywhere, from the most developed countries to those still developing.
What are news deserts?
The term “news desert” first became common in the U.S. during the 2000s and 2010s, describing communities that lost local newspaper coverage. Originally, it referred mainly to the disappearance of print newspapers but the understanding of news deserts has evolved.
According to recent statistics, there are 3,000 fewer newspapers and 43,000 fewer journalists in the United States working in print media than 20 years ago. In 2005, total newspaper circulation in the U.S. was over 50 million copies. Today, it’s just over 10 million, mostly due to big brands like The New York Times.
Newspapers are disappearing fast. More than two daily papers vanish from the market every week. There are over 225 counties without any daily newspaper, and in more than 1,500 counties (nearly half the country), only one newspaper exists, usually a weekly, not a daily.
The situation in Europe is no better. Take Germany as an example: it is predicted that by 2025, the decline of local newspapers will create “news deserts” in approximately 4,400 municipalities that will no longer have local news coverage.
Initial definitions primarily focused on the physical absence of news outlets. However, a more comprehensive view, as adopted by organizations like the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF), emphasizes the quality, reliability, diversity, and independence of the information available. This expanded understanding is particularly relevant for regions like the Balkans, where media capture and political influence are significant challenges.
News deserts in the Balkan region
Let’s take a closer look at the situation in the Balkan region. Media deserts remain an under-researched phenomenon in the Balkan media context, but the reality on the ground shows that the region is far from immune to this growing issue.
One country highlighted in the latest Reuters Digital News Report 2025 in the context of news deserts is Croatia. The report notes that “recent research shows some areas remain poorly covered by local media, resembling ‘news deserts.’” It also highlights that local outlets often face funding challenges, which can lead to increased dependence on local politicians or state advertising.
Last year, I attempted to map the news deserts within the Macedonian media landscape.
Using the American definition of a media desert, as a community without a single local daily newspaper, then, aside from Skopje, nearly every other town and village in the country falls into this category, as they have no daily newspapers at all. The situation is even more alarming when you consider that many towns with fewer than 10,000 residents have no local media coverage at all. According to recent research by the Independent Syndicate of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM), one fourth of the population in North Macedonia lives in areas classified as news deserts.
Saving local journalism
But why is local news important? It is a vital foundation for a healthy democracy. It keeps citizens informed, promotes active civic participation, and holds local institutions accountable. Beyond simply providing information, local news helps build community engagement and strengthens democratic governance at the grassroots level. The risk of corruption at the local level also increases as the media, traditionally acting as watchdogs of democracy and democratic values, disappear. This erosion significantly undermines trust in institutions both locally and nationally.
All in all, news deserts are a growing threat to democracy, and the Balkans are not immune. What began as a lack of local newspapers now reflects a deeper crisis: the absence of credible, independent local information.
In the Balkan region, political pressure, concentrated media ownership, and poor working conditions for journalists make the problem worse. Disinformation easily crosses borders, weakening trust and civic engagement. Reversing the trend means recognizing local journalism not as a luxury, but as a public necessity, before silence becomes the rule.
