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Local Journalism under Private Equity Ownership

Author

Listed:
  • 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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    Cited by:

    1. 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.).
    2. Gao, Janet & Kim, Yongseok & Sevilir, Merih, 2025. "Private equity in the hospital industry," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    3. Megalokonomou, Rigissa & Vasilakis, Chrysovalantis, 2023. "The effects of exposure to refugees on crime: Evidence from the Greek islands," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    4. Sharjil M. Haque, 2023. "Does Private Equity Over-Lever Portfolio Companies?," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2023-009, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    5. Ginger Zhe Jin & Mario Leccese & Liad Wagman, 2024. "M&A and technological expansion," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 338-359, March.
    6. Spaenjers, Christophe & Steiner, Eva, 2024. "Specialization and performance in private equity: Evidence from the hotel industry," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    7. Abhishek Bhardwaj & Abhinav Gupta & Sabrina T. Howell, 2025. "Leveraged Payouts: How Using New Debt to Pay Returns in Private Equity Affects Firms, Employees, Creditors, and Investors," Working Papers 25-12, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.

    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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