I propose to quantify the extent of the decline of the South Wales local press – identifying trends in circulation and employment as well as comparative trends in consumption of new media forms. I will present this data in comparison with interviews recording the experiences of people involved in local political, economic and cultural campaigns. I will examine how local press functioned in these networks as a public platform that influenced outcomes.

My intent is to show how changes in the way local press is produced, distributed and consumed over that thirty year period have affected local democracy and community engagement.