Testing for the human capital value of daily newspaper journalists in the era of newsroom downsizing

Abstract

This study tested the contrarian proposition that market-driven newspapers value rank-and-file newsworkers as human capital assets. Data from a national survey of U.S. daily newspaper editors partially support the proposition. Newspapers see positive value in the know-how and abilities of their newsworkers, but they do not see enough of it to invest in training and rewards for them.