CHAPTER 13
Media Coverage and Political
Accountability: Theory and Evidence
David Str
€
omberg
IIES, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Contents
13.1. Introduction 596
13.2. Theory 596
13.2.1 The Role of Information in Politics 597
13.2.2 Market Provision of News 600
13.2.2.1 Total Coverage of Politics 600
13.2.2.2 Coverage Across Issues and Multitasking 604
13.2.3 Optimal Regulation and Public Provision of News 605
13.3. Evidence 608
13.3.1 Volume of Coverage 610
13.3.2 Voters 611
13.3.2.1 Information 611
13.3.2.2 Responsiveness 613
13.3.2.3 Political Participation 614
13.3.3 Politicians 615
13.3.4 Policy 616
13.3.4.1 Who Gets the News? 616
13.3.4.2 Volume and Focus of Political Coverage 617
13.3.5 Multitasking 618
13.3.5.1 Audience Share Bias 618
13.3.5.2 Media ...