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

Authors

  • Angela Powers Kansas State University
  • Soontae An Kansas State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS312009220

Keywords:

media structure, media organizations, media corporations, newspaper chains, news content

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.

Author Biographies

Angela Powers, Kansas State University

Professor and director of the Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas State University. The school is creating an online program in readiness and risk communications and has ties to the Ft. Riley military base and an embedded reporters program. Powers received a McCormick grant to host a national conference on media coverage of disasters at Kansas State. She is collaborating on a Knight News Challenge Grant to create a digital model for community media. As a Senior Fulbright Specialist and Fulbright Scholar, Powers facilitated development of a master’s program at Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania. She also held visiting professorships at the University of the West Indies and at IME, New York, teaching media management and broadcast news. Research interests include influences on news content, media leadership and media convergence. She was a television reporter for NBC and CBS affiliates before receiving her Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

Soontae An, Kansas State University

Associate Professor A. Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Kansas State University

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Published

2009-03-19

How to Cite

Powers, A., & An, S. (2009). The Effect of Ownership Structure on News Coverage in the United States. Observatorio (OBS*), 3(1). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS312009220

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2009)

Section

Articles

License

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