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Public Opinion Views on Immigrants’ Contribution to the Local Economy: the Role of TV Exposure

Author

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  • Leonardo Becchetti

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

  • Berkan Acar

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

Abstract

We investigate the nexus between TV watching and the general public opinion about the impact of immigrants on the economies of destination countries using evidence from the European Social Survey. We find, as expected, that low skilled workers and less educated respondents have a more negative view, likely due to the stronger competition threat they suffer from immigrants. Second, and more surprising, time spent watching TV gives a strong and significant contribution to the negative opinions on the role of immigrants. Over-representation of negative events involving migrants and lack of migrants voice on TV are two likely rationales consistent with our findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonardo Becchetti & Berkan Acar, 2021. "Public Opinion Views on Immigrants’ Contribution to the Local Economy: the Role of TV Exposure," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 7(3), pages 509-532, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:italej:v:7:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s40797-021-00142-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s40797-021-00142-7
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic effects of migration; Television exposure; Labour market competition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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