Differentiating distance in local and hyperlocal news

Journalism studies has undergone a geographic turn in which considerable research has sought to reconceptualise understandings of place and space in the digitally networked environment. This article argues that the concept of distance, as the physical spaces between places, has largely been overlooked in journalism research but could add a useful dimension when examining the construction and consumption of local and hyperlocal news. Empirical research into the news contexts of a geographically large rural Australian municipality, and the diverse experiences of two towns situated a sizable distance apart, reveals a paradox in the place-making value of news. While closeness between newsrooms and audiences benefits the development of a sense of community, outlets at a greater distance from smaller towns are more likely to offer balanced political coverage of public interest matters. These findings suggest that there is a need for a well-developed theory of distance that can account for the complexities of news contexts within and between ruralities.