This is an important argument. And to build on your point, I’d add that some of the best local journalism… is not coming from what we think of as journalism outlets at all. In many news deserts, advocacy groups and grassroots organizations are filling in the gaps. See the ACLU’s investigation into Flint’s water, the SPLC’s reporting on hate crimes (in collaboration with ProPublica), and day labor advocates investigating wage theft. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/02/nyregion/new-weapon-in-day-laborers-fight-against-wage-theft-a-smartphone-app.html?_r=0