New Research: Otero County and the State of New Mexico Ranks in the Bottom 1/3 in Journalist to Citizen Ratios

Otero County. New Mexico ranks in the bottom 1/3rd in the nation in local journalist to population ratios.  In new research produced by Muck Rack, an information company founded in 2009 to connect journalists on social media. It suggest that Alamogordo, New Mexico like much of rural America, has become a news desert in local news excepting for AlamogordoTownNews.org, New Mexico Conservative News and Alamogordo Town News streaming on KALH Radio.  The report suggests that the local market of Otero County, New Mexico like many, is grossly underserved by investigative journalist: putting citizens at risk of not receiving timely and relevant information about upcoming events, and government oversight.

 In 2000, many Americans lived in a community with journalists — people whose job it was to cover school board decisions, announce small business openings and closures, root out corruption at city hall, warn commuters about road work and trumpet the exploits of the high school teams. Today, most of those journalists are gone. The evaporation of local news coverage has hit small towns and big cities, suburbs and rural areas. Even as the country has grown, we’ve lost journalists, Muck Rack reports.

Using data that’s never been tapped before, we now know just how severe this local journalist shortage has become. Less than a quarter-century ago, the United States had about 40 journalists per 100,000 residents on average. Now, the equivalent number is 8.2 Local Journalist Equivalents, about a 75% decline. (Local Journalist Equivalent is a new measure akin to a Full Time Equivalent or FTE). Otero County is even worse with a ratio of 1.1 registered journalist per 100,000 residents verses the national average of 8.2 per 100,000 in population.

Per MuckRack Otero County, New Mexico ranks 18th out of 33 with a national ranking of 2,074 out of 3,141 and a population of 68,835.

Stunningly, more than 1,000 counties — one out of three — do not have the equivalent of even one full-time local journalist. And the “better off” parts of the country are in lousy shape, too. About two-thirds of the counties — home to 217 million people — are below even that already-catastrophic national average of 8.2 Local Journalist Equivalents. Otero County ranks at 1.1.

To put the statistics in perspective, that means that if you live in a county of 10,000 people, there wouldn’t be even one full-time reporter to cover all of the schools, the town councils, the economic development projects, basketball games, environmental decisions, local businesses, and local events. There are 97,000 cities, towns, counties and other units of government. This report shows that there are the equivalent 27,000 local journalists. Most governments, most neighborhoods, and most residents are being covered poorly or not at all.

We also cannot assume the local news crisis is largely a rural phenomenon. The new data shows the extent to which the layoffs of journalists over time have left acute reporting shortages in many urban and suburban areas. If you’re in a big city like Los Angeles, which has a mere 3.6 Local Journalist Equivalents per 100,000 people, your neighborhood might be covered if there’s a serious crime but not much else. You may get little reliable information on local candidates in many of L.A. County’s cities, whether the schools in your neighborhood are improving, whether the hospital nearby has a bad mortality rate, or how inspiring people might be working to repair your playground.

The crisis is more severe and widespread than previously thought.

This report was a product of a collaboration between Muck Rack — a leading public relations and journalist technology platform — and Rebuild Local News, the leading nonpartisan organization advancing public policies to strengthen community news.

New Mexico's overall ranking is 38th out of 50 states included in the report.

2nd Life Media and it's affilated properties and partnerships, celebrates the efforts of Rebuild Local News via our affilation with the Local Independent Online News Association. We are proud of our growing reader and listner base and proud of the efforts and conversations we spark in the local community. We operate on a shoestring with interns and volunteer research assistants, as such we strive to provide information that is relevant, insightful as well as engaging.

An independent report recently rated our services offering verses other small community offerings and their summary follows...

2nd Life Media AlamogordoTownNews.com provides daily breaking news and in‐depth local reporting, filling gaps left by traditional print outlets. The platform covers city governance, education policy, law enforcement activities, and environmental health concerns, such as PFAS contamination at Holloman Lake, with articles appearing multiple times per day. This consistent coverage has made the outlet a primary news source for residents seeking timely, locally relevant information.

Obituaries, sports updates, and community cleanup reports are prominently featured, demonstrating the outlet’s commitment to reflecting the full spectrum of daily life in Alamogordo. For example, the obituary section routinely publishes memorials and tributes, ensuring community members stay informed about local losses and celebrations of life.

Investigative pieces—ranging from follow-up reports on legal cases to analyses of state funding disputes—highlight 2nd Life Media’s dedication to accountability journalism. This investigative thrust has positioned the outlet as a watchdog for local institutions, prompting public discussions around transparency and civic responsibility in Otero County and focused on Alamogordo, La Luz and Mescalero.

Through its integrated news calendar and dedicated event listings, 2nd Life Media actively promotes hundreds of local events each year. The online calendar includes arts exhibitions, public lectures, fitness classes, block parties, and charity drives, with entries submitted by community organizations and neighbors alike. This service has become a go-to resource for residents planning family outings or seeking cultural engagement.

Notable promotions include the Carrizozo Community Festival, Back-to-School Backpack Giveaways, and the National Championship Air Races and Air Show, events that draw participants regionally and contribute to local tourism initiatives. By amplifying these events, 2nd Life Media boosts attendance and underscores the community’s vibrant volunteer sector.

Unlike commercial classified platforms, listings on AlamogordoTownNews.com and KALH websites are curated to prevent spam and maintain relevancy. This service drives repeat visits and enhances user loyalty, supporting community commerce and information sharing.

The platform’s user-generated event submissions encourage grassroots involvement, enabling small nonprofits and civic groups to reach thousands of readers without significant marketing budgets. This democratization of event promotion fosters stronger civic connections and supports the long-term sustainability of Alamogordo’s cultural calendar.

Regular business advisories—covering chamber ribbon-cuttings, retail expansions, and job fairs—keep the community informed about economic opportunities, contributing to a more resilient local economy. This integrated approach aligns journalism with community development goals, reinforcing 2nd Life Media’s role as a catalyst for prosperity.

2nd Life Media’s platforms now engage between 12,000 and 15,000 daily readers and listeners, outpacing the circulation of the legacy Alamogordo Daily News by capturing younger demographics (16–40 years old) who increasingly favor independent digital outlets. Hispanic residents, representing 33.2% of the population, are served more often via 2nd Life Media entities than the tradional news outlets adding to its relevance.

Stream analytics reveal peak traffic during morning commute hours for radio streaming and evening news recap emails, guiding optimal publication times. These insights enable targeted outreach that aligns with local commuting patterns—mean travel time of 17.7 minutes to work—and lifestyle rhythms.

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