Question

Why is watching sports more important to many prospective voters than watching the news? In your answer, mention the role played by rational ignorance and the cost of gathering information.

Answer 1

Watching sports becomes more important than watching news for the perspective voters, because it helps them preventing the formation of bias in favor of those parties who are spending too much and advertising via paid news. Hence, rational ignorance applies here, because benefits gained via news channels are far less than the cost of gaining the information. It makes important for the voters to avoid new channels and build their views on the basis of what experts are saying on new channels. It will affect their vote and then the selection of candidates. It will make bigger consequences if biased voting could select the wrong candidate. So, it is important for them to watch sports, rather than the new channels.