The interactive impact of press freedom and media reach on corruption

In this paper, we explore the joint impact of press freedom and access or reach of media (measured by internet or mobile access by the populace) on corruption levels of nations. We argue that press freedom and media reach (in other words, communication infrastructure) are complementary factors that should be looked at together while analyzing a media sector's impact on economic development outcomes like corruption. Based on estimated marginal impacts, we conclude that press freedom, by itself, curbs corruption, even for countries with lower media reach. However, as reach increases, the beneficial impact of press freedom in curbing corruption is enhanced - thus proving the enabling effect of media reach on press freedom in particular and on improved governance in general.