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Monetary policy in the news: communication pass-through and inflation expectations

Author

Listed:
  • Fiorella De Fiore
  • Alexis Maurin
  • Andrej Mijakovic
  • Damiano Sandri

Abstract

We analyse the media's role in channelling information about the Fed's monetary policy stance to the public. Using LLMs, we find a tight correspondence between FOMC communication and media coverage, although with significant variation over time. The communication pass-through weakened during the ZLB period and improved with the introduction of press conferences, which now exert strong influence on the media. Media coverage effects households' inflation expectations, particularly when inflation is high and volatile, while we do not detect a direct impact of FOMC communication. This underscores the media's crucial function in channelling central banks' communication to the public.

Suggested Citation

  • Fiorella De Fiore & Alexis Maurin & Andrej Mijakovic & Damiano Sandri, 2024. "Monetary policy in the news: communication pass-through and inflation expectations," BIS Working Papers 1231, Bank for International Settlements.
    • Handle: RePEc:bis:biswps:1231
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Alexopoulos, Michelle & Han, Xinfen & Kryvtsov, Oleksiy & Zhang, Xu, 2024. "More than words: Fed Chairs’ communication during congressional testimonies," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E50 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - General
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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