LOCAL MEDIA IN SMALL TERRITORIES: EVIDENCE FROM THE ALEKSANDROVSKY MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF PERM KRAI

Abstract

In a crisis situation of traditional periodicals of regional centers, local media sometimes become the most effective communication resources. They not only ensure the dissemination of information, but also form a space for public discussion of local issues, support collective identity and stimulate various forms of civic engagement. This article examines local media in small territories through the case of the Aleksandrovsky Municipal District of Perm Krai. The study analyzes the distinctive features of four local online communities that differ in terms of actor composition, thematic focus, and communicative practices. The findings demonstrate that local media perform not only informational and communicative functions but also contribute to the construction of local identity, foster residents’ engagement in community life, and facilitate the realization of the right to the city. The study identifies differences between problem-oriented and cultural-educational local media and reveals the specific relationship between the audience’s digital participation and offline activity.