this coverage influence the information levels and the voting behavior of the general public, the actions
and selection of politicians and government policy?
Keywords
Media, Regulation, Information, Political accountability, Policy, Voting
JEL Codes
D03, D72, H5, L82
13.1. INTRODUCTION
This chapter investigates how media coverage filters information and how this affects
political accountability and policy. Because information gathering and transmission are
costly, information frictions are unavoidable. By transmitting information to mass audi-
ences, the media will lower these frictions. How much they will lower the frictions may
depend on factors such as the degree of media competition, the size of the market,
demand for advertising, and delivery costs. ...