We're all doomed!

It's a time of gloom and doom in local newspapers ... 'twas ever thus.
These observations on how social changes may be responsible for hitting local papers where they hurt are nothing new, and there may be truth in the premise that many people now have little interest in the community in which they live.
But I don't think it's the whole story. After all, populations have always shifted, eventually they settle and an individual's interest in local issues grows. Perhaps more important is how local newspapers in general have failed to nurture that potential.
Wherever you look newsroom staffing levels have shrunk and duties have swollen. Your average overworked, underpaid journalist has striven to produce the quality stories his or her predecessors did, but they can only do so much. Time out of the office to dig around for stories became a luxury long ago.
So, over the past 15 years (at least) there has been an inevitable drop in quality and the punters aren't daft. Even those who do part with their 30-odd pence have probably noted today's edition contains nothing from today at all, since most papers are now completed the previous evening to reduce costs. Could these also be reasons why news is being sought from other sources?
Whatever the truth, it's a real pity. If the decline is irreversible the only winners are those whom local papers have traditionally harried.