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Media Power

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  • Andrea Prat

Abstract

This paper defines the power of a media organization as its ability to induce voters to make electoral decisions they would not make if reporting were unbiased. It derives a robust upper bound to media power over a range of assumptions about the beliefs and attention patterns of voters. The paper then presents estimates of the power index for the United States and shows how these can inform merger analysis and other policy debates.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Prat, 2018. "Media Power," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 126(4), pages 1747-1783.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/698107
    DOI: 10.1086/698107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Debora Di Gioacchino & Alina Verashchagina, 2017. "Mass media and attitudes to inequality," Working Papers in Public Economics 178, University of Rome La Sapienza, Department of Economics and Law.

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    JEL classification:

    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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