# The Independent Journalism Atlas looks at “wells” and “springs” in news deserts

- Source: Nieman Lab
- Published: 2026-10-26T19:56:55+00:00
- Category: Tech
- Original: https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/10/the-independent-journalism-atlas-looks-at-wells-and-springs-in-news-deserts/
- Canonical: https://groundlevelnews.com/story/the-independent-journalism-atlas-looks-at-wells-and-springs-in-news-de-9fb921/

What do we mean when we talk about news deserts? The term has become a shorthand for areas devoid of local news coverage. But a new essay from the Independent Journalism Atlas recalls that when Penny Abernathy popularized the term, she used it to describe a more nuanced picture: To show what information can look...

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