Back to the Real Salt Lake Newsfeed

Margaret Sullivan: Most people think local journalism is financially healthy, but reality is troubling

For example, I realized with a shock not too long ago that many people think anonymous sources are not only unnamed in news stories but actually unknown to the reporters who use them as sources. (That's definitely not so; reporters not only know who these people are but usually have to let an editor know, too.)

It said the vast majority of Americans — almost 3 in 4 respondents — believe that local news outlets are in good financial shape.

These findings unnerved those who believe that local news is hugely important in our culture and that it needs public support to survive.