Explaining self-censorship and risk-reduction behavior among journalists in a weak state: Application of the hierarchy of influences model in Mexico

• In Event: Respuestas a la Violencia, Memoria y Acción Política

Abstract

This work extends research in Mexico and the Middle East that applies a Hierarchy of Influences Model (Shoemaker and Reese, 2014; Reese, 2001) to study influences on journalists’ work in contexts of conflict and violence (Gonzalez and Relly, 2014; Relly et al, forthcoming). It addresses a gap in academic and policy research by measuring self-censorship and other threat-reduction behavior journalists engage in while still performing journalistic work. It then tests possible explanations for these behavioral changes based on a contextually appropriate version of the Hierarchy of Influences Model. The research uses a probabilistic sample of Mexican journalists on the national level selected via a stratified sample of media outlets with simple random sampling used to select media outlets within each strata (strata = geographic subregion, media type).

Author

• Sallie L Hughes, University of Miami