Almost as numerous as the holders of press cards in France, the 35 000 local stringers are frequently analyzed in comparison with the journalists and the domain of journalism. Our survey questions these contributors’ motivations, longevity and interest of those for their position despite the discomfort of their status. By adopting an approach that focuses on the characteristics of their attachment to the activity and the meanings of their commitment, we show how these stringers maintain a closer relationship to the local territory rather than to the newspaper that they work for.