Propaganda, Alternative Media, and Accountability in Fragile Democracies

We develop a model of electoral accountability with mainstream and alternative media. In addition to regular high- low-competence types, the incumbent may be an aspiring autocrat who controls media will subvert democracy if retained in office. A truthful can help voters identify remove these subversive types while reelecting competent leaders. malicious media, contrast, spreads false accusations about demotivates policy effort. If is very likely hence unreliable, ignore it use only hold incumbents accountable, leaving autocrats win reelection via propaganda that portrays them as effective makers. When media’s reliability intermediate, heed its warnings incumbents, but prospect being falsely accused effort by breaks down.