Full Citation

Title: Political Consequences of the Endangered Local Watchdog: Newspaper Decline and Mayoral Elections in the United States

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2020

ISBN:

ISSN: 1078-0874

DOI: 10.1177/1078087419838058

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Abstract: Newspapers have faced extreme challenges in recent years due to declining circulation and advertising revenue. This has resulted in newspaper closures, staff cuts, and dramatic changes to the ways many newspapers cover local government, among other topics. This article argues that the loss of professional expertise in coverage of local government has negative consequences for the quality of city politics because citizens become less informed about local policies and elections. We test our theory using an original data set that matches 11 local newspapers in California to the municipalities they cover. The data show that cities served by newspapers with relatively sharp declines in newsroom staffing had, on average, significantly reduced political competition in mayoral races. We also find suggestive evidence that lower staffing levels are associated with lower voter turnout.

Url: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1078087419838058

Url: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1078087419838058

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Authors: Rubado, Meghan E.; Jennings, Jay T.

Periodical (Full): Urban Affairs Review

Issue: 5

Volume: 56

Pages: 1327-1356

Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Other

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