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The role of the media in a bubble

Author

Listed:
  • Campbell, Gareth
  • Turner, John D.
  • Walker, Clive B.

Abstract

We examine the role of the news media during the British Railway Mania, arguably one of the largest financial bubbles in history. Our analysis suggests that the press responded to changes in the stock market, and its reporting of recent events may have influenced asset prices. However, we find no evidence that the sentiment of the media, or the attention which it gave to particular stocks, had any influence on exacerbating or ending the Mania. The main contribution of the media was to provide factual information which investors could use to inform their decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Campbell, Gareth & Turner, John D. & Walker, Clive B., 2012. "The role of the media in a bubble," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 461-481.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:exehis:v:49:y:2012:i:4:p:461-481
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eeh.2012.07.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. William Quinn & John D. Turner, 2023. "Bubbles in history," Business History, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 65(4), pages 636-655, May.
    2. Turner, John D., 2014. "Financial history and financial economics," QUCEH Working Paper Series 14-03, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Centre for Economic History.
    3. Hanna, Alan J. & Turner, John D. & Walker, Clive B., 2017. "News media and investor sentiment over the long run," QUCEH Working Paper Series 2017-06, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Centre for Economic History.
    4. Suwan (Cheng) Long & Brian Lucey & Ying Xie & Larisa Yarovaya, 2023. "“I just like the stock”: The role of Reddit sentiment in the GameStop share rally," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 58(1), pages 19-37, February.
    5. Turner, John D., 2024. "Three centuries of corporate governance in the UK," QUCEH Working Paper Series 24-01, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Centre for Economic History.
    6. John D Turner & Qing Ye & Clive B Walker, 2018. "Media Coverage and Stock Returns on the London Stock Exchange, 1825–70," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 22(4), pages 1605-1629.
    7. Bakker, Gerben, 2014. "Soft power: the media industries in Britain since 1870," Economic History Working Papers 56333, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Economic History.
    8. Yousaf, Imran & Pham, Linh & Goodell, John W., 2023. "The connectedness between meme tokens, meme stocks, and other asset classes: Evidence from a quantile connectedness approach," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    9. Li, Zhinan & Ren, Yaqi & Shen, Peilong & Zhang, Can, 2025. "Does textual risk information from individual banks exacerbate systemic risk? Evidence from the Chinese banking system," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    10. repec:ehl:lserod:59304 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Bakker, Gerben, 2014. "How they made news pay: news traders’ quest for crisis-resistant business models," Economic History Working Papers 59304, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Economic History.
    12. Wehrheim, Lino, 2021. "The sound of silence: On the (in)visibility of economists in the media," Working Papers 30, German Research Foundation's Priority Programme 1859 "Experience and Expectation. Historical Foundations of Economic Behaviour", Humboldt University Berlin.
    13. Chun-Yu Ho & Dan Li, 2014. "A mirror of history: China's bond market, 1921–42," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 67(2), pages 409-434, May.
    14. Sendhil Mullainathan & Andrei Shleifer, 2005. "The Market for News," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 95(4), pages 1031-1053, September.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • N23 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N73 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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