FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What happens to your survey findings? When will you share your data?
Our surveys for media outlets and for state residents will remain open through March and part of April. Then we will begin to process our findings into a public report. Our goal is to have a draft report ready in May 2025.
I’m new to New Mexico. Am I eligible to fill out the survey?
Absolutely. We are interested in the views of all New Mexicans, old or new.
How does this project benefit New Mexicans?
The quick answer is that we are providing the most comprehensive study ever to describe our state’s media system, including both the perspectives of media outlets and their targeted audiences. This informs media outlets about audience needs and it informs the public about media availability. The deeper answer is that work informs funders, leaders, editors and others who are looking at ways to meet the future needs of New Mexicans. We hope our findings lead to solutions where we find problems.
Where does the project get its funding?
Currently, there are two main funders for this project: The UNM Center for Regional Studies and Press Forward New Mexico.
We are also getting considerable in-kind support from the NM Local News Fund, the UNM Communication & Journalism Dept., and NMPBS.
We invite you to follow these links to learn more about them.
What do you define who qualifies as a media outlet for your media survey?
We want to include any media outlet in New Mexico that is committed to meeting the information needs of our people, no matter how large or small the outlet. In some cases, these information needs may be met by a social media site or an individual blogger. Our survey asks respondents to tell us about these new or emerging kinds of sources.
I listen to national news much more than local. Is that an issue?
No, we expect all sorts of media usage to show up. Of course, we’re trying to discover if you have access to local information in the first place, and then, secondly, if you make use of it.
Will my information be shared with news outlets?
Yes, the study that results from our surveys will be open to everybody. Of course, your individual response remains anonymous. Only aggregated data gets reported out.
How dire is the ‘news desert’ situation?
The situation across the country is getting worse by the year. Please check out these reports for the big picture:
The State of Local News Project (Northwestern University)
The Expanding News Desert (University of North Carolina)
You might also explore the many links between local news and having a healthy democracy: Local News and Why It Matters (American Journalism Project)
Let us know if you have more questions. Find our contact information on the ABOUT page.