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Exploring the network of individuals that influence the media's inflation message in South Africa

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  • Katrien Smuts

Abstract

The main goal of this study—and its potential to add to the policy debate—is to cast light on the network of voices that influence the narrative about inflation and monetary policy in South Africa. To that end, this paper first identifies the main individuals (journalists, domestic policy makers, and financial analysts) that influence the inflation message in the news media. Using social network analysis, graph theory, and opinion leadership techniques, I describe the relationships and identify the most prominent persons in the network.

Suggested Citation

  • Katrien Smuts, 2023. "Exploring the network of individuals that influence the media's inflation message in South Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2023-116, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2023-116
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2023-116-exploring-networks-individuals-influence-media-inflation-message-South-Africa.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olivier Armantier & Scott Nelson & Giorgio Topa & Wilbert van der Klaauw & Basit Zafar, 2016. "The Price Is Right: Updating Inflation Expectations in a Randomized Price Information Experiment," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 98(3), pages 503-523, July.
    2. Roman Horvath & Dominika Katuscakova, 2016. "Transparency and trust: the case of the European Central Bank," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(57), pages 5625-5638, December.
    3. Bernardo Candia & Olivier Coibion & Yuriy Gorodnichenko, 2020. "Communication and the Beliefs of Economic Agents," NBER Working Papers 27800, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Alan S. Blinder, 2018. "Through a Crystal Ball Darkly: The Future of Monetary Policy Communication," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 108, pages 567-571, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inflation; Social networks; South Africa;
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