This publication discusses the importance of local media in Serbia for democracy in the face of growing social, political and media polarization and increasing pressures and obstacles for journalists in local communities. Local media are an important factor in dealing with socio-political and environmental issues in local communities. Despite this, local meida have been in an unfavorable economic situation for year: financially weakened, without adequate personnel or equipment, yet in a rather unregulated market. Further, a number of restrictions in communication with local governments and access to information from public institutions, make it difficult for journalists to critically report on circumstances. 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 plans and strategies or detecting abuse and corruption at the highest levels of government, this influence remains limited. 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.