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Social Media, Internet and Corruption

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In this paper we study the relationship between multi-way means of communication and corruption. Unlike traditional platforms like TV or print media, which only provide a one-way channel of communication, the internet and social media platforms provide for two-way flow of information. Using Facebook as a proxy for social media, we show that Facebook penetration and corruption are negatively associated. The same holds for internet penetration. We then exploit variations in cross-country technological adoption in the field of communication in 1500 AD to address endogeneity concerns. We show that internet penetration and Facebook penetration have a causal and negative impact on corruption. Our results also suggest that these effects are sizable making them effective tools against corruption.

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  • Sudipta Sarangi & Chandan Jha, 2014. "Social Media, Internet and Corruption," Departmental Working Papers 2014-03, Department of Economics, Louisiana State University.
    • Handle: RePEc:lsu:lsuwpp:2014-03
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    File URL: https://www.lsu.edu/business/economics/files/workingpapers/pap14_03.pdf
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    1. Brunetti, Aymo & Weder, Beatrice, 2003. "A free press is bad news for corruption," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(7-8), pages 1801-1824, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Biswas, Trina & Kennedy, P. Lynn, 2016. "The Effect of the Internet on Bilateral Trade," 2016 Annual Meeting, February 6-9, 2016, San Antonio, Texas 229994, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    2. Jean‐Claude Kouladoum, 2023. "Technology and control of corruption in Africa," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(6), pages 1163-1180, August.
    3. Biswas, Trina & Kennedy, P. Lynn, 2018. "The Role of E-governance on Bilateral Agricultural Trade," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 274273, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Jha, Chandan Kumar & Kodila-Tedika, Oasis, 2020. "Does social media promote democracy? Some empirical evidence," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 271-290.
    5. Emmanouil Tranos & Yannis Ioannides, 2015. "Ubiquitous digital technologies and spatial structure: a preliminary analysis," ERSA conference papers ersa15p1329, European Regional Science Association.

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