The Impact of Media Coverage of Performance Information on the Budget Spending Intentions of Government Officials and Citizens in South Korea

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of media coverage of performance information on the budget spending intentions of both public officials and citizens. It delves into the mechanisms through which media coverage shapes government performance assessment and explores how negative media portrayal affects budgetary decisions, distinguishing between budget inefficiencies, policy design flaws, and budget shortages as key content categories. The findings elucidate divergent budget spending intentions between public officials and citizens, emphasizing the intricate interplay between the tone and content of media reports and their influence on budgetary intentions. This study highlights the pivotal yet often neglected aspect of news content in molding public and official perceptions of government performance. Furthermore, it accentuates the essentiality of proactive government communication strategies in managing public perception, advocating for the institutionalization of performance information dissemination to effectively address the nuances of both successful and unsuccessful policy measures.