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Media bias and electoral competition

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  • Ascensión Andina Díaz

    (Universidad de Málaga)

Abstract

We present a model of electoral competition with uninformed voters. There is a market for news with ideological media outlets. We consider two market structures: monopoly and duopoly. We show that if each party has the support of an outlet, either party has the same probability of winning the election. However, if just one of the parties has the support of the media, the results might well change as this party will get into o􀀡ce with a higher probability than the other party. We also analyze voters’ welfare and show that the important aspect is whether a media industry exists, and not the number of media outlets.

Suggested Citation

  • Ascensión Andina Díaz, 2009. "Media bias and electoral competition," Investigaciones Economicas, Fundación SEPI, vol. 33(2), pages 211-231, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:iec:inveco:v:33:y:2009:i:2:p:211-231
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Djankov, Simeon & McLiesh, Caralee & Nenova, Tatiana & Shleifer, Andrei, 2003. "Who Owns the Media?," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 46(2), pages 341-381, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Election; accountability; media bias.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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