This publication discusses the importance of local media in Serbia in achieving democracy and public interest in the context of growing social, political and media polarization, as well as pressures and obstacles faced by journalists in local communities. For greater influence of local media on solving important socio-political and environmental problems in local communities, the aspect of active participation of citizens in initiating and executing journalist stories is especially important. However, local media have been in an unfavorable economic situation for years, financially weakened, with inadequate personnel and technological capacities, amidst a rather unregulated market environment. In addition, a number of restrictions in communication with local governments and access to information from public institutions, which make it difficult for journalists to do their job, are a major obstacle for local media that critically report on the government. In this way, the influence of local media on local governments is visible only in the field of solving certain minor communal and infrastructural problems, while in terms of improving the quality of life of citizens in the long run, solving more demanding problems, changing annual plans and strategies or detecting abuse and corruption at the highest levels of government, this influence remains virtually invisible. This publication gives concrete recommendations for what needs to be done to alleviate existing shortcomings, as well as strengthen and recognize local media as one of the main actors in the development of democracy and public interest at the local level.