Persuasion through Slanted Language: Evidence from the Media Coverage of Immigration

I study the persuasive effects of slanted language, exploiting a ban on politically charged term “illegal immigrant” by Associated Press (AP) news wire. My empirical strategy combines timing with variation across media outlets in their baseline reliance AP copy. document sizable diffusion from copy to outlets. Moreover, individuals exposed through local show significantly lower support for restrictive immigration policies. This effect is more pronounced moderates and locations fewer immigrants, does not transfer views issues other than immigration. (JEL D72, L82, Z13)