Daily Newspaper Reporters' and Editors' Preferences Toward Reporter Decision-Making and Existing Practices

Abstract

This study attempted to assess the attitudes of American city and county daily newspaper reporters and editors toward reporter decision-making, and to determine existing decision-making practices. A national sample demonstrated that reporters want, in general, to be consulted by management before management makes decisions. On several work-related decisions, however, reporters want to control the decision-making process; on other issues, they have relatively little participation interest. Editors want less reporter participation than reporters, and the difference is substantial on many work-related issues. Female editors would allow slightly more reporter decision-making than male editors. These reporters also want more participation than exists. Smaller newspaper organizations allow more reporter decision-making than larger news organizations.