The Effect of Ownership Structure on News Coverage in the United States

Abstract

This study examined the size of newspapers and newspaper chains in the United States and the impact on content. The purpose of this study was to look at how newspapers are providing local information necessary for local communities. Are diversification practices, downsizing and economic concerns of news organizations resulting in more or less local news coverage? To address these questions, a number of key newspaper chains in the U.S. were examined to see whether or not circulation size and size of the parent company impacted the use of local sources in the coverage of key issues. Findings indicated that newspapers with smaller circulations tend to use more local sources and that the number of newspaper holdings of parent companies was also significant in predicting use of national/online sources.