of dimensions of"badness" in the regressions In addition to discussing media ownership patterns and their consequences, we examine the role of media monopolies. Recall that Lenin and the founders of the bbc insisted on monopoly for reasons of technology and benevolent censorship. But even ignoring this particular argument, one can still wonder whether any government participation in the media is detrimental to freedom or just the state monopoly. Any government ownership may be bad because the government has the power to advantage the media firms that it owns. Alternatively, private etition may assure that alternative views are supplied to voters and consumers, and prevent government firms from distorting the information they supply too heavily. only the data can resolve which one of these theoretically plausible views better describes reality Section II describes our data on ownership of the media. Section Ill examines the economic and political determinants of media ownership. Section IV then focuses on the consequences of state media ownership for freedom of the press, the efficiency of economic and political markets, and a range of social outcomes across countries. Section V addresses the question of whether the effects of government ownership stem from the very existence of such ownership, or from government monopoly. Section VI summarizes the findings and concludes Ownership Data This section focuses on patterns of ownership in the media industry. Because ownershi bestows control( Grossman and Hart 1986), it shapes the information provided to voters and consumers. Ownership, of course, is not the only determinant of media content. In many ountries, even with private ownership, the government regulates the media industry, provides direct subsidies and advertising revenues to media outlets, restricts access to newsprint and5 of dimensions of “badness” in the regressions. In addition to discussing media ownership patterns and their consequences, we examine the role of media monopolies. Recall that Lenin and the founders of the BBC insisted on monopoly, for reasons of technology and benevolent censorship. But even ignoring this particular argument, one can still wonder whether any government participation in the media is detrimental to freedom or just the state monopoly. Any government ownership may be bad because the government has the power to advantage the media firms that it owns. Alternatively, private competition may assure that alternative views are supplied to voters and consumers, and prevent government firms from distorting the information they supply too heavily. Only the data can resolve which one of these theoretically plausible views better describes reality. Section II describes our data on ownership of the media. Section III examines the economic and political determinants of media ownership. Section IV then focuses on the consequences of state media ownership for freedom of the press, the efficiency of economic and political markets, and a range of social outcomes across countries. Section V addresses the question of whether the effects of government ownership stem from the very existence of such ownership, or from government monopoly. Section VI summarizes the findings and concludes. II. Ownership Data This section focuses on patterns of ownership in the media industry. Because ownership bestows control (Grossman and Hart 1986), it shapes the information provided to voters and consumers. Ownership, of course, is not the only determinant of media content. In many countries, even with private ownership, the government regulates the media industry, provides direct subsidies and advertising revenues to media outlets, restricts access to newsprint and