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Watchdog versus yes man: News source and media competition

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  • Kishishita, Daiki
  • Sato, Susumu

Abstract

Watchdog journalism, the idea that independent media outlets monitor people in power, can be undermined when the people in power serve as news sources on which the media rely. By developing a model of media competition with a strategic news source, we show that the presence of a news source creates pro-source biases; the coexistence of neutral watchdogs and biased yes men arises as an outcome of mixed strategy equilibrium. This bias can make the presence of a news source harmful to consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Kishishita, Daiki & Sato, Susumu, 2025. "Watchdog versus yes man: News source and media competition," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 233-253.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:153:y:2025:i:c:p:233-253
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2025.06.007
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    JEL classification:

    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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