Unpacking Property: Media, Ownership, and Power in Transformation| Does Media Ownership Matter for Journalistic Content? A Systematic Scoping Review of Empirical Studies

Abstract

This study assesses the current state of empirical research on the role of media ownership on journalistic content. Regardless of the differences in focus and research design, our systematic scoping review of 56 studies shows that media ownership matters. The vast majority of studies show that media ownership affects journalistic content. A few empirical studies found no systematic influence or significant connection. Regarding the different types of media ownership, research focuses on the private sector, whereas public and civil society media remain at the margins. Similarly, concerning ownership influence, the examined studies focus on the economic and political impacts on media content, whereas public interest orientation and audience alignment remain somewhat understudied.