Article,
Is constitutionalized media freedom only window dressing? Evidence from terrorist attacks
Affiliations
- [1] Aarhus University [NORA names: AU Aarhus University; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
- [2] Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN) [NORA names: Sweden; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
- [3] CESifo [NORA names: Germany; Europe, EU; OECD];
- [4] Universität Hamburg [NORA names: Germany; Europe, EU; OECD]
Abstract
Media freedom is often curtailed in the wake of terrorist attacks. In this contribution, we ask whether constitutional provisions that are intended—directly or indirectly—to protect media freedom affect the degree to which press freedom is curtailed after terrorist incidents. We find that neither provisions explicitly protecting media freedom nor provisions that might protect media freedom indirectly (such as those guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary) mitigate the post-terror curtailment of press freedom.
Keywords
Constitutional political economy,
Emergency provisions,
Freedom of expression,
Judicial independence,
Media freedom,
Press freedom,
State of emergency,
Terrorism