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Is constitutionalized media freedom only window dressing? Evidence from terrorist attacks

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  • Christian Bjørnskov

    (Aarhus University
    Research Institute of Industrial Economics)

  • Stefan Voigt

    (University of Hamburg
    CESifo)

Abstract

Media freedom is often curtailed in the wake of terrorist attacks. In this contribution, we ask whether constitutional provisions that are intended—directly or indirectly—to protect media freedom affect the degree to which press freedom is curtailed after terrorist incidents. We find that neither provisions explicitly protecting media freedom nor provisions that might protect media freedom indirectly (such as those guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary) mitigate the post-terror curtailment of press freedom.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Bjørnskov & Stefan Voigt, 2021. "Is constitutionalized media freedom only window dressing? Evidence from terrorist attacks," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 187(3), pages 321-348, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:187:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s11127-020-00783-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-020-00783-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Christian Bjørnskov & Stefan Voigt, 2022. "This time is different?—on the use of emergency measures during the corona pandemic," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 54(1), pages 63-81, August.
    2. Hayo, Bernd & Voigt, Stefan, 2023. "Judicial independence: Why does de facto diverge from de jure?," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Bjørnskov, Christian & Freytag, Andreas & Gutmann, Jerg, 2022. "Coups and the dynamics of media freedom," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    4. Bjørnskov, Christian & Mchangama, Jacob, 2023. "Freedom of Expression and Social Conflict," Working Paper Series 1473, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Press freedom; Media freedom; Terrorism; Freedom of expression; Judicial independence; Constitutional political economy; State of emergency; Emergency provisions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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