Studies in Communication Sciences 6/2, 2006, pp. 189-208
EJO-RESEARCH
The research perspective presented here is rational choice theory. So far, it has rarely been applied to journalism and journalism research.
Economists as well as communication researchers have so far neglected the economics of journalism.
This paper sketches out the assumptions on which an economic theory of journalism is based, the kind of insights it promises, and how it can be applied in research. Conclusions relate to the European Journalism Observatory as a case study of institution building and deal with the necessity and improbability of research transfer in journalism.
Keywords: quality of journalism, behavior of journalists, infrastructures of journalism, economic theory, rational choice theory.
