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The Role of Press Freedom in Economic Development: A Global Perspective

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  • Abdullah Alam
  • Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah

Abstract

In this study, the authors explore the role of press freedom in the development of an economy, both in terms of economic growth and foreign direct investment. The relationship between press freedom, foreign direct investment, and economic growth is analyzed using a balanced panel of 115 countries. The existence of a bidirectional relationship between press freedom and economic growth is established using the generalized method of moments technique. We also find a bidirectional relationship between foreign direct investment and economic growth using the analysis. Our results are not contradicted by similar indices produced by Reporters Sans Frontières and Freedom House.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdullah Alam & Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, 2013. "The Role of Press Freedom in Economic Development: A Global Perspective," Journal of Media Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(1), pages 4-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jmedec:v:26:y:2013:i:1:p:4-20
    DOI: 10.1080/08997764.2012.755986
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    2. Malanski, Leonardo Köppe & Póvoa, Angela Cristiane Santos, 2021. "Economic growth and corruption in emerging markets: Does economic freedom matter?," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 58-70.
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    5. Jingtao Yi & Shuang Meng & Craig D. Macaulay & Mike W. Peng, 2019. "Corruption and foreign direct investment phases: The moderating role of institutions," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 2(2), pages 167-181, June.
    6. Hosein Mohammadi & Samira Shayanmehr & Juan D. Borrero, 2022. "Does Freedom Matter for Sustainable Economic Development? New Evidence from Spatial Econometric Analysis," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19, December.
    7. DiMaria, charles-henri, 2024. "Let’s all get pessimistic about ill-being: civil society and political organisation mediations," MPRA Paper 121603, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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