In most cases the most common and obvious way that local government connects with its citizens is through the news media, local newspaper, radio and tv coverage.  And most pundits believe that television news is the most influential medium.  If you weren't already aware, you might be interested to know that Pew Research found that only three percent of TV newscasts are now devoted to government and politics. This is down from seven percent in 2006. Forty percent of newscasts are now about weather, sports and traffic. And, it’s reasonable to assume that this three percent is mostly about government shenanigans and crises of some kind. 

 The decrease in news coverage is the result of shrinking newsrooms. Cable news is now mostly cable talk, and legitimate journalism is increasingly demonized. This has clear implications for how effectively government communicates with and connects to the governed.  
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