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Does the 4th estate deliver? Towards more direct measure of political media bias

Author

Listed:
  • Ralf Dewenter

    (Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg)

  • Uwe Dulleck

    (Queensland University of Technology)

  • Tobias Thomas

    (Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf)

Abstract

This contribution introduces a new direct measure of political media bias by analyzing articles and newscasts with respect to the tonality on political parties and politicians. On this basis we develop an index sorting the media in the political left to right spectrum. We apply the index to opinion-leading media in Germany, analysing 7,203,351 reports on political parties and politicians in 35 media outlets from 1988 to 2012. With this approach, in contrast to other indexes, we are able to achieve a more direct and reliable measure of media bias. In addition, we apply the index to study whether the media fulfil their role as the fourth estate, i.e. provide another level of control for government, or whether there is evidence of government capture.

Suggested Citation

  • Ralf Dewenter & Uwe Dulleck & Tobias Thomas, 2016. "Does the 4th estate deliver? Towards more direct measure of political media bias," Working Paper 175/2016, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:vhsuwp:2016_175
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    Cited by:

    1. Ralf Dewenter & Franziska Löw, 2022. "Endogenous Network Effects," Working Paper 194/2022, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg.
    2. Garz, Marcel & Sörensen, Jil, 2017. "Politicians under investigation: The news Media's effect on the likelihood of resignation," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 82-91.
    3. Julian Freitag & Anna Kerkhof & Johannes Münster, 2021. "Selective sharing of news items and the political position of news outlets," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 056, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    4. Julian Freitag & Anna Kerkhof & Johannes Münster, 2021. "Selective Sharing of News Items and the Political Position of News Outlets," CESifo Working Paper Series 8943, CESifo.
    5. Melissa Bantle & Matthias Muijs, 2018. "A new price test in geographic market definition – an application to german retail gasoline market," Working Paper 180/2018, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg.
    6. Céline Bonnet & Jan Philip Schain, 2020. "An Empirical Analysis Of Mergers: Efficiency Gains And Impact On Consumer Prices," Journal of Competition Law and Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 16(1), pages 1-35.
    7. Klaus B. Beckmann, 2017. "Bounded rationality in differential games," Working Paper 178/2017, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg.
    8. Freitag, Julian & Kerkhof, Anna & Münster, Johannes, 2021. "Selective sharing of news items and the political position of news outlets," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C43 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Index Numbers and Aggregation
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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