IS MORE ALWAYS BETTER?

Abstract

While classic market economic theory argues that competition among media is better for consumers, preliminary research in emerging media markets suggests otherwise. High levels of competition in markets with limited advertising revenues may lead to poorer journalistic performance. This study tests that argument using secondary analysis of data from a purposive sample of countries where measures of news media performance and market competition exist. The authors find a curvilinear relationship between competition and the quality of the journalistic product, with moderate competition leading to higher-quality journalism products and higher levels of competition leading to journalistic products that do not serve society well. The implications of the findings for media assistance initiatives are discussed.

Keywords:

• journalism performance
• media assistance
• media competition

Acknowledgements

Support for this project was provided by grants from the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation and from the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research in Higher Education (STINT).

Notes

2. ALFA CONT, “The Media Advertising Market in Romania in 2007,” data provided at the request of the authors of this study, 2008.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tudor Vlad

1. The order of authorship of this manuscript is alphabetical