In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the transformation of local communication presents significant challenges as well as exciting opportunities for innovation by municipalities and media. Digitalization has led to a notable decline in advertising revenue for local newspapers, making it increasingly difficult for municipalities to effectively fulfill their information mandates. Additionally, digital transformation carries the risk of creating information gaps, news deserts, and reduced personal engagement. To address these issues, journalistic start-ups and municipal communication service providers are stepping in, striving to innovate and sustain traditional local information ecosystems.

This project "Local Journalism & Municipal Communication under Digital Transformation", led by the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (Switzerland), aims to characterize the structure of local journalism and municipal communication, assessing their performance in terms of information mandate, independence, political relevance, criticism, and control. Through case studies from five different countries–Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Italy–the project seeks to identify potential innovations and factors for sustainable market success. The findings will serve as a decision-making basis for shaping conditions that foster sustainable local communication.

The Italian research used a multi-stage approach that included literature and desk research, consultations with five local media professionals and journalists, and interviews with communication managers of municipalities and editors-in-chief of local media. An internationally formulated framework with two guidelines was implemented, alongside an evaluation framework focusing on media platforms, technologies, distribution methods, and innovative formats.

The good practices in local journalism demonstrate a strong digital presence, utilizing websites, social media, and apps to engage their audience. Many outlets adopt a cross-media approach, integrating print, online, radio, and TV channels. Funding models vary, including advertising revenue, public contributions, cooperative models, and donations. Innovative formats, such as digital tools and live broadcasts, enhance content delivery. Italian local media have adopted diverse innovative approaches and strategies to adapt to the evolving landscape, which can be summarized as follows:

• Embrace citizen journalism: The case of salto.bz, an online news and community portal in South Tyrol, highlights the importance of community engagement. By involving citizens in content creation, local media can foster a sense of ownership and trust with their audience.

• Focus on slow journalism: Sicilian Post, a journalistic start-up from Catania (Sicily) demonstrates that slow journalism, which prioritizes depth over speed, can effectively engage readers looking for comprehensive and well-researched content. This approach can enhance the credibility and quality of local journalism.

• Leverage technology for innovation: The use of digital infographic tools, such as ARIA (ARticle Infographic Assistant) by Sicilian Post, demonstrates how integrating technological innovations can enhance storytelling and make content more engaging. Media organizations should explore the potential of AI and other digital tools to improve their offerings.

• hyperlocal reporting: VareseNews, an online news platform in Lombardy, focuses on covering local events and issues in the Varese province while fostering community-building initiatives. This hyperlocal approach helps local media stay relevant and essential to their communities.

The digital transformation has significantly impacted how municipalities communicate with their citizens, enhancing reach and effectiveness through social media, digital participation platforms, and innovative tools like chatbots and apps. Good practices in municipal communication reveal a strong focus on professionalizing activities, utilizing a blend of traditional and digital media, and prioritizing citizen participation in decision-making processes. The analysis emphasizes the importance of clear, accessible, and inclusive communication to enhance the overall quality of municipal communication through the following strategies and innovative approaches:

• Develop comprehensive communication plans: Pordenone (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) has implemented a detailed communication plan, which includes guidelines for online communication, a comprehensive social media strategy, and the use of innovative tools like SOL (Segnalazione OnLine) for managing citizen reports. This demonstrates the importance of well-structured communication plans with clearly defined goals, target audiences, and chosen channels.

• Utilize digital tools for citizen engagement: The municipality of Lana (South Tyrol) showcases how digital platforms, such as the Gem2Go app for easy access to municipal services and information, along with digial surveys for citizen feedback, can effectively enhance communication and help municipalities engage with their communities.

• Structured and transparent communication: Cairate, a town in Lombardy, uses social media, weekly video messages from the mayor, and a dedicated communication officer to align communication activities with planning. This highlights the importance of structured and transparent communication at the municipal level.