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Local Journalism under Private Equity Ownership

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  • Michael Ewens
  • Arpit Gupta
  • Sabrina T. Howell

Abstract

Local daily newspapers historically played an important role in U.S. democracy by providing citizens with information about local policy issues. In recent decades, local newspapers have struggled to compete with new online platforms. In the first study of private equity (PE) in a struggling industry, we find nuanced effects. PE leads to higher digital circulation and lower chances of newspaper exit. However, the composition of news shifts away from local governance, the number of reporters and editors falls, and participation in local elections declines. The results have implications for knowledge about local policy issues and highlight trade-offs surrounding media ownership.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Ewens & Arpit Gupta & Sabrina T. Howell, 2022. "Local Journalism under Private Equity Ownership," NBER Working Papers 29743, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29743
    Note: CF DAE PE POL PR
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    3. Sharjil M. Haque & Anya V. Kleymenova, 2023. "Private Equity and Debt Contract Enforcement: Evidence from Covenant Violations," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2023-018, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • H42 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Publicly Provided Private Goods
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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