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The 3 E’s of Central Bank Communication with the Public

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  • McMahon, Michael
  • Haldane, Andrew
  • Macaulay, Alistair

Abstract

In this paper we explore both theoretical and empirical evidence on communication with the general public. The model provides guidance for policy makers by high- lighting some potentially important risks in communicating simply with a broader audience. In particular, in a model where trust and engagement are low, there are benefits to engaging a wider audience. But doing so risks ultimately lowering welfare unless guided by the 3 E's of public communication: Explanation, Engagement and Education. Central banks have made great strides in all three, but numerous challenges remain.

Suggested Citation

  • McMahon, Michael & Haldane, Andrew & Macaulay, Alistair, 2020. "The 3 E’s of Central Bank Communication with the Public," CEPR Discussion Papers 14265, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:14265
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ferrara, Federico Maria & Angino, Siria, 2022. "Does clarity make central banks more engaging? Lessons from ECB communications," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    3. Mochhoury, Sarah, 2023. "Central bank communication and trust: an experimental study on the European Central Bank and the general public," Working Paper Series 2824, European Central Bank.
    4. Ehrmann, Michael & Wabitsch, Alena, 2022. "Central bank communication with non-experts – A road to nowhere?," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 69-85.
    5. Munday, Tim & Brookes, James, 2021. "Mark my words: the transmission of central bank communication to the general public via the print media," Bank of England working papers 944, Bank of England.
    6. Piotr Turek, 2023. "Bezrobocie, inflacja i wzrost gospodarczy w świetle polityki informacyjnej Narodowego Banku Polskiego," Bank i Kredyt, Narodowy Bank Polski, vol. 54(5), pages 499-518.
    7. Francesco D'Acunto & Daniel Hoang & Maritta Paloviita & Michael Weber, 2020. "Effective Policy Communication: Targets versus Instruments," Working Papers 2020-148, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Monetary policy; Communication; General public;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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