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On the Confluence of Freedom of the Press, Control of Corruption and Societal Welfare

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher L. Ambrey

    (Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus)

  • Christopher M. Fleming

    (Griffith University, Nathan Campus)

  • Matthew Manning

    (The Australian National University)

  • Christine Smith

    (Griffith University, Nathan Campus)

Abstract

This paper employs data from 135 countries to investigate the role a free press plays in controlling corruption and the extent to which this may lead to greater national income and enhanced societal welfare (as measured by self-reported life satisfaction). Results suggest that freedom of the press, through enabling the control of corruption, is associated with increased real GDP per capita and (independently) higher life satisfaction. This provides further motivation for policy makers to give greater recognition to the aspects of societal welfare not readily encapsulated within conventional measures of national income.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher L. Ambrey & Christopher M. Fleming & Matthew Manning & Christine Smith, 2016. "On the Confluence of Freedom of the Press, Control of Corruption and Societal Welfare," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 128(2), pages 859-880, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:128:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-015-1060-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-015-1060-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Larissa Batrancea & Anca Nichita & Ioan Batrancea & Lucian Gaban, 2018. "The Strenght of the Relationship Between Shadow Economy and Corruption: Evidence from a Worldwide Country-Sample," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 138(3), pages 1119-1143, August.
    2. Félix J. López-Iturriaga & Iván Pastor Sanz, 2018. "Predicting Public Corruption with Neural Networks: An Analysis of Spanish Provinces," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 140(3), pages 975-998, December.

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