Media markets and localism
Subtitle: does local news en Español boost Hispanic voter turnout
By: Felix Oberholzer-Gee, Joel Waldfogel
Contributors: Waldfogel, Joel, 1962-; Harvard Business School. Division of Research
Series: Working paper / Division of Research, Harvard Business School -- 07-062; Working paper (Harvard Business School. Division of Research) -- 07-062
Publisher: Division of Research, Harvard Business School
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Boston
Language: eng
Number of pages: 21
Description: In this paper, we exploit the rapid growth of Hispanic communities in the United States to test whether the presence of local television news affects local civic behavior. Spanish-language local television news programming was available in 25 US metro areas in 2002, up from only 14 areas in 1994. Our estimates indicate that Hispanic voter turnout increased by 5 to 10 percentage points, relative to non-Hispanic voter turnout, in markets where local Spanish-language television news became available. We conclude that the tradeoff between integrated media markets and civic engagement is real. The results of this study provide a basis for the continued pursuit of regulatory policies that promote localism.
Notes: "May 29, 2006"--Added t.p.

Includes bibliographical references.