Effect of Corporate Structure on Autonomy of Top Editors at U.S. Dailies

This study sought to determine whether top editors at chain-owned and large newspapers would have more autonomy and freedom to improve editorial content than top editors at independent and small newspapers. The theoretical rationale is that role specialization promotes increased emphasis on news and editorials and, at the same time, removes the influence of publishers and owners from the news production process. The study found that differences between chain and independent ownership were not significant, but that top editors at larger newspapers did have more autonomy.