Expert: Return newspapers to local control

As Knight Ridder's future continues to hang in the balance, journalism guru Jay Rosen offers this intriguing idea:

What if the corporate monolith were to sell off its newspapers, including the Centre Daily Times, to local buyers and return the papers to local control?

As I've blogged before, Knight Ridder has owned the CDT since 1979. Before that, the paper was owned by locals.

Here's a question: Has the paper fared better under Knight Ridder control or under its previous ownership?

Feel free to comment.

Update @ 4:26 p.m.: Former CDT publisher Lou Heldman will remain in Wichita, Kan., putting off an anticipated move to South Carolina as Knight Ridder explores "strategic alternatives."