Social media’s replacement of local news outlets as the primary source for community information will likely contribute to an absolute deluge of conservative misinformation and the spread of local conspiracy theories in the years ahead, both issues we have already seen play out this year during the election cycle and the pandemic. The year 2020 has proven yet again that protecting resources for local reporting is essential — and could even save lives.

How right-wing misinformation filled the void left when local newsrooms cut staff | Media Matters for America