QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS WORKSHOP (JOINT WITH LEITNER)
Abstract: This paper examines the provision and political effects of watchdog journalism in China. We develop a spatial model of media capture, where a local government more capable to capture local media outlets than nonlocal media. We then derive a “media gravity” equation such that information flows toward strong economic markets and weak political links. Based on the coverage of over 2000 highly visible events by 120 general-interest newspapers during 2001 and 2020, we document that Chinese local newspapers report more negative events in their neighboring cities where the advertisement markets are larger and the connections between political leaders are weaker. We find that this “imported” watchdog journalism significantly pressures local governments to reduce corruption, increase responsiveness to citizen complaints, and improve fiscal allocation towards public services.
Yanhui Wu is a professor in Economics and in Management and Strategy at the University of Hong Kong. His primary research focuses on media economics, in which he investigates both theoretically and empirically how the media affects policy making, public accountability, firm performance, and consumer behavior. Another stream of his research focuses on knowledge-based production, digital platforms, and AI-guided economic activities. He is also interested in studying the Chinese economy, particularly issues related to the labor market and public health. His work has appeared at top economics, management, and statistics journals, including the American Economic Review, Econometrica, Review of Economics and Statistics, Economic Journal, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Management Science, Organization Science, and the Journal of American Statistical Association.
This workshop is being held jointly with the Leitner Political Economy Seminar.
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