According to a summary of findings from the Pew Research Center State of the News media, local news is going mobile. 47% of all American adults report that they get at least some local news and information on their cellphone or tablet computer, and what they seek out most on mobile platforms is information that is practical and in real time: 42% of mobile device owners report getting weather updates on their phones or tablets; 37% say they get material about restaurants or other local businesses.
Mobile applications, one of the newest forms of on-the-go local news, are beginning to take hold among mobile device owners, says the report. Compared with other adults, these mobile local news consumers are younger, live in higher income households, are newer residents of their communities, live in non rural areas, and tend to be parents of minor children.
Adults who get local news and information on mobile devices are more likely than others to feel they can have on impact on their communities, more likely to use a variety of media platforms, feel more plugged into the media environment than they did a few years ago, and are more likely to use social media:
35% of mobile local news consumers feel they can have a big impact on their community (vs. 27% of other adults)
65% feel it is easier today than five years ago to keep up with information about their community (vs. 47% of nonmobile connectors)
51% use six or more different sources or platforms monthly to get local news and information (vs. 21%)
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