Per Jauert

Local Television and Local News

The question addressed in this article is whether there there is anything local and alternative about local television news in Denmark. Many stations claim local news to be of particular importance for their profile and the primary legitimation of local television. This article presents findings from a content analysis of programming for a week period in 1996 and, as such, is meant to contribute to an understanding of local programming content and flow. Regarding the general programming profile, both stations examined seem to have the usual characteristics of Danish local television: most of the programs are of foreign origin, and only about 10% of the total output is locally produced. This study suggests that little programming is of local origin and what there is follows traditional formulas of national broadcasting. From a media-politics point of view, then, it is questionable whether public resources should be allocated to local television news, given the limited amount of alternativeness, quality, and audience attraction