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The Role of a Free Press in Combating Business Corruption

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  • Binhadab, Nouf
  • Breen, Michael
  • Gillanders, Robert

Abstract

Using firm-level data, we find that countries with greater press freedom have significantly lower incidences of bribery involving public officials. In particular, we find that a free press is associated with a substantial reduction in the percentage of firms that report corruption during interactions with tax officials and when obtaining construction permits. Furthermore, we find that fewer businesses in these countries report that corruption is the biggest problem that they face. These findings underline the role of an independent media in combating corruption.

Suggested Citation

  • Binhadab, Nouf & Breen, Michael & Gillanders, Robert, 2018. "The Role of a Free Press in Combating Business Corruption," MPRA Paper 88954, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:88954
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Breen & Robert Gillanders, 2020. "Press Freedom and Corruption Perceptions: Is There a Reputational Premium?," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(2), pages 103-115.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    corruption; firm behavior; bribery; press freedom;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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