Effects of Newspaper Competition on Public Opinion Diversity

Abstract

This study used survey data from the 1988 American National Election Study by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research to compare the diversity of opinions on public issues held by individuals in communities that have newspaper competition versus individuals in noncompetitive newspaper communities. The study also controlled for socioeconomic status, population density, and racial and ethnic mix in the 92 counties studied. Findings are that socioeconomic status accounted for 13% of the variance in diversity of opinions reflected in a public opinion survey, while newspaper competition accounted for 4%, a smaller but still significant amount. Racial and ethnic mix was not related to diversity of public opinion but population density did account for 6% of the diversity. Findings argue that newspaper competition remains important for encouraging diversity of views on public issues.