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Economy through a lens: Distortions of policy coverage in UK national newspapers

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  • Bowden, James
  • Kwiatkowski, Andrzej
  • Rambaccussing, Dooruj

Abstract

This paper shows that communication of economic news varies across newspapers in the United Kingdom. We develop new time series of economic news tonality using a unique dataset of policy influenced articles published in major UK newspapers. We show that the volume and tonality of news respond to current economic conditions. For example, the nature of news changes around events of economic uncertainty such as the global financial crisis and the post-EU referendum periods. We also provide illustrative evidence that communication differs across newspaper formats. Tabloids, as opposed to quality newspapers, tend to express news more negatively, and mostly report policy-related news during periods of economic stress. The integral importance of these results is illustrated by news reaction curves showing a strong positive relationship mostly lasting three months between consumer sentiments and news.

Suggested Citation

  • Bowden, James & Kwiatkowski, Andrzej & Rambaccussing, Dooruj, 2019. "Economy through a lens: Distortions of policy coverage in UK national newspapers," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 881-906.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:47:y:2019:i:4:p:881-906
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2019.07.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Rambaccussing, Dooruj & Kwiatkowski, Andrzej, 2020. "Forecasting with news sentiment: Evidence with UK newspapers," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 1501-1516.
    2. Dooruj Rambaccussing & Craig Menzies & Andrzej Kwiatkowski, 2022. "Look who’s Talking: Individual Committee members’ impact on inflation expectations," Dundee Discussion Papers in Economics 305, Economic Studies, University of Dundee.

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