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National or local infodemic? The demand for news in Italy during COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Stefano Castriota

    (University of Pisa)

  • Marco Delmastro

    (Autorità Per Le Garanzie Nelle Comunicazioni)

  • Mirco Tonin

    (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
    FBK-IRVAPP)

Abstract

Information can have an important impact on health behavior and, according to the World Health Organization, an ‘infodemic’ has accompanied the current pandemic. Observing TV news viewership in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic using actual consumption data, we investigate whether demand for national and local news depends on national or local epidemiological developments, as measured by the number of new positives or the number of current positives on any given day. Exploiting the fact that the impact of the pandemic displays a great deal of variation among the different regions, we find that at the regional level, demand for both national and local news responds to national epidemiological developments rather than to local ones. This has implications regarding the incentives for local politicians to take preventive action.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano Castriota & Marco Delmastro & Mirco Tonin, 2023. "National or local infodemic? The demand for news in Italy during COVID-19," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 507-536, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:ijhcfe:v:23:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s10754-023-09350-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10754-023-09350-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    News; Local news; TV; COVID-19;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media

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