In late 2024, CatchLight partnered with Prism Photo to survey nearly 70 newsrooms to create a fuller picture of the current state of visual journalism in local media. The findings, which build on the 2024 CatchLight x Rural News Network survey, offer high-level insights into the resources and challenges surrounding access to visual journalism.
Nearly 85% of respondents consider visuals a “high” or “very high” priority. Yet, despite the overwhelming recognition of their importance, many newsrooms face a stark contrast between the value they place on visuals and the resources they allocate to them. A significant 63% of newsrooms report dedicating less than 10% of their overall budget to visuals, signaling a discrepancy that highlights a critical challenge in the industry.
