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No Media, No Voters? The Relationship between News Deserts and Voting Abstention

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni Ramos

    (LabCom—Communication and Arts, Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Luísa Torre

    (LabCom—Communication and Arts, Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Pedro Jerónimo

    (LabCom—Communication and Arts, Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

Abstract

Local journalism has suffered major transformations as traditional business models collapse and habits of news consumption change. A lack of funding and successive economic crises have brought about, on a global scale, the shutdown of many news outlets in smaller territories. These areas are becoming “news deserts”, a phenomenon that has been mapped in Brazil and Portugal. Territories without news could see an uptick in social problems such as disinformation, populism, and democratic crises, especially because of voting abstention. Background: This paper aims to analyze the relationship between news deserts and democracy, focusing on how news deserts correlate with voting abstention rates in Brazil and Portugal. Methods: A literature review was carried out including data from news deserts in both countries. The abstention rates in this analysis concern national elections held in 2022. A correlation analysis using binary logistic regression was deployed comparing municipalities with the highest and the lowest abstention rates. Results: In both countries, it was not possible to assess whether there was a correlation between abstention rates and the existence of news deserts. Conclusions: While the absence of media outlets is not correlated with the mobilization of citizens to vote, other variables may be affecting voters’ abstention behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Ramos & Luísa Torre & Pedro Jerónimo, 2023. "No Media, No Voters? The Relationship between News Deserts and Voting Abstention," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:12:y:2023:i:6:p:345-:d:1169335
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Pedro Jerónimo & Marta Sanchez Esparza, 2022. "Disinformation at a Local Level: An Emerging Discussion," Publications, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Matthew Gentzkow & Jesse M. Shapiro & Michael Sinkinson, 2011. "The Effect of Newspaper Entry and Exit on Electoral Politics," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 101(7), pages 2980-3018, December.
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