In interviews with The New York Times after Mr. Amato’s resignation, five current or former Billboard employees described an environment in which corporate meddling in editorial decisions was not limited to the coverage of Mr. Walk.

Now Ms. Karp has a chance to set things right at the leading trade music publication.

“As a journalist, I’m really excited to lead a really amazing team of people and expand and deepen our coverage of the music business itself, which is going through such an exciting and fascinating transformation,” Ms. Karp said.

Deanna Brown, the managing director at Valence Media, said the company had consulted over several months with the Poynter Institute, which teaches journalistic ethics and practices, on how to reinstate a healthy relationship between Billboard’s business and editorial divisions.

“I think the culture has changed,” Ms. Brown said. “We’re going back to basics.”

By promoting Ms. Karp, Ms. Brown said, the company is reinforcing its commitment to disinterested news coverage.

“I wouldn’t do this without knowing that we would have full editorial independence,” Ms. Karp said. “I feel confident that we will have that.”