This book investigates the shifting economic and political landscape of the local press during the 1990s to determine its future viability. Authors Bob Franklin and David Murphy utilize their expertise in media studies to analyze how technological advancements and the rise of free newspaper models challenged traditional journalistic practices. They argue that these structural changes necessitated a re-evaluation of the local press's role in democratic engagement and community representation.

Experts recognize this work as a significant historical snapshot of the transition period in regional media during the late 20th century. Scholars frequently cite the text for its detailed documentation of the technological and market pressures that reshaped local newsrooms.