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Television Market Size and Political Accountability in the US House of Representatives

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  • Balles, Patrick

    (University of Basel)

  • Matter, Ulrich

    (University of Basel)

  • Stutzer, Alois

    (University of Basel)

Abstract

This paper examines the role of local TV market structure in US congressional politics, exploiting variation in the overlaps of political markets and TV markets. Local TV stations are hypothesized to report relatively more per US House representative in less populous markets (where the number of House districts covered is smaller), leading to better informed voters and more accountable representatives. We find that smaller markets are indeed associated with (i) higher coverage of representatives, and (ii) a higher level of voters' knowledge about their representatives. However, (iii) representatives of smaller and more congruent markets are only more likely to decide aligned with their constituents' policy preferences in highly competitive districts. This evidence suggests that local political news coverage on TV serves as a complement rather than a substitute in holding members of the US Congress accountable.

Suggested Citation

  • Balles, Patrick & Matter, Ulrich & Stutzer, Alois, 2022. "Television Market Size and Political Accountability in the US House of Representatives," IZA Discussion Papers 15277, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15277
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    political accountability; market congruence; media coverage; TV markets; legislative voting; US Congress; voter knowledge; campaign finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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