| By: |
Tim Friehe;
Helge Müller;
Florian Neumeier |
| Abstract: |
This paper explores the causal influence of media content on voting behavior.
We exploit a natural experiment involving access to West German TV within the
German Democratic Republic. Focusing on federal and state election outcomes in
the post-reunification decade (i.e., a time at which TV content was
harmonized), we find that municipalities that had access to Western TV
broadcasts before reunification have lower vote shares for left-wing and
right-wing extremist parties. With regard to potential channels, we provide
evidence based on survey data that GDR citizens with access to West German TV
were less loyal to the socialist regime, less hostile toward foreigners, and
exhibited higher levels of social capital. Our findings thus support the
notion that access to free media influences political attitudes and
facilitates the consolidation of democracy. |
| Keywords: |
voting, extremism, television, media, natural experiment, Germany |
| JEL: |
D72 L82 P30 |
| Date: |
2019 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7485&r=all |