Government policy and the evolution of the market for Dutch daily newspapers

This paper investigates whether governments can change market structures through interventions. The effects of four political events over the life cycle of the market for daily newspapers in the Netherlands are studied. The events occurred in 1848, 1869, during World War II, and 1971. It is found that policy measures meant to lower entry barriers in an expanding industry created new entry and increased survival chances for potential entrants and incumbent newspapers. Exit barrier enhancing policies to reduce concentration tendencies have not been successful.