American Deadline: Reporting from Four News-Starved Towns in the Trump Era

2020 was a tumultuous year in America, with significant events such as the presidential election, COVID-19 pandemic, and protests for racial justice affecting every corner of the country. American Deadline explores how these events impacted small towns and cities that are often overlooked by national newspapers, and how local stories change when told by journalists with roots in these communities. The book highlights the unique perspectives and challenges faced by residents in these towns, such as race, schooling, health, immigration, deindustrialization, and local and national politics. It is an important book for anyone interested in the future of local journalism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The dramatic events of 2020, including the presidential election, the COVID-19 pandemic, and protests for racial justice, had a profound impact on every aspect of American life. However, the residents of small towns and cities, which are often overlooked by national newspapers, were particularly affected by these events. How do local stories change when they are told by journalists with roots in these communities? And what is lost when this kind of coverage disappears?

To explore these questions, American Deadline brings together dispatches from four longtime local journalists in different parts of the United States. The authors, who have deep connections to their respective communities, offer a unique perspective on the events of 2020. The book includes reporting from Bowling Green, Virginia; Macon, Georgia; McKeesport, Pennsylvania; and McAllen, Texas.

Bowling Green, Virginia, is a small town that lost its local newspaper in 2019. The authors describe how the loss of the newspaper has affected the community, with residents feeling disconnected from their local news and unable to access important information. They also explore how the community has responded, with some residents starting their own local newspapers and others turning to social media to stay informed.

Macon, Georgia, is another town that lost its local newspaper in 2019. The authors describe how the loss of the newspaper has affected the community, with residents feeling like they are losing a vital source of information. They also explore how the community has responded, with some residents starting their own local newspapers and others turning to social media to stay informed.

McKeesport, Pennsylvania, is a small town that is barely hanging on to its local newspaper. The authors describe how the newspaper is facing financial challenges and how the community is working to support it. They also explore how the newspaper is adapting to the changing landscape of local journalism, with some journalists focusing on digital storytelling and others exploring new ways to reach their readers.

McAllen, Texas, is a small town that has experienced significant growth in recent years. The authors describe how the growth has affected the community, with residents feeling like they are losing their sense of community and identity. They also explore how the community is responding, with some residents starting their own local newspapers and others working to preserve the community's history and culture.

Throughout the book, the authors consider what makes each town distinctive and how these local perspectives tell a part of a broader American story. They explore how residents of these towns grapple with and talk about issues relating to race, schooling, health, immigration, deindustrialization, as well as local and national politics amid a changing and increasingly precarious information ecosystem.

American Deadline is an important book for all readers interested in the possibilities and future of local journalism. It offers a distinct and intimate look at a calamitous year and provides a valuable insight into the impact of these events on the residents of small towns and cities. By telling these local stories, the authors hope to inspire a renewed interest in the importance of local journalism and the role it plays in shaping our understanding of the world around us.

Weight: 512g
Dimension: 147 x 225 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231208406