Mobile is the place for local news according to a freshly published survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
Nearly half (47%) of all US adults surveyed admit to accessing local news and information on either their mobile phone or tablet computer. “One of the newest forms of on-the-go local news consumption, mobile applications, are just beginning to take hold among mobile device owners,” the report finds.
The most sought-after material was local weather. About 4 in 10 mobile phone and tablet owners (42%) use their mobile device to access local weather information. “That represents 36% of all American adults,” the Pew report says.
The next biggest category among cellphone and tablet owners was information on restaurants or other local businesses (37%). General local news came next (30%), followed by other news such as up-to-the minute information of local sports scores (24%) and the latest local traffic and transportation (22%).
Other interesting findings include:
- 35% of mobile local news consumers feel they can have a big impact on their community
- 65% feel it is easier today than five years ago to keep up with information about their community
- 51% use six or more different sources or platforms monthly to get local news and information
- 75% use social network sites
- 15% use Twitter
For more information about the Pew Internet & American Life Project or to read the full report, click here.
