“When a local newspaper or radio station disappears, the community feels that no one cares”

Local and regional media, their role in democratic life and the challenges they face are the focus of this interview with Mélanie Lepoultier, co-rapporteur of the [report](https://rm.coe.int/local-and-regional-media-watchdogs-of-democracy-guardians-of-community/1680accd26) *Local and regional media: watchdogs of democracy, guardians of community cohesion*, adopted by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Lepoultier reflects on the consequences of declining local journalism and touches on the specific situation of small media outlets.