Targeting more effective industrial policies: Evidence from massive media data on R&D manipulation

R&D manipulation prevails in firms' application for high-tech enterprise certification. This paper provides evidence on how media coverage significantly inhibits firms' R&D manipulation behaviour by increasing citizens' concerns. Among all the media reports, original reports and in-depth reports serve the strongest purpose in alleviating R&D manipulation. Among all types of media, online media and authoritative media play a stronger role. We also find a more pronounced supervision role of media for enterprises that are owned by private entities, covered by more analysts, administrated by more capable governments or located in regions with a higher marketization level. We also provide evidence on the enhancement of firms’ R&D performance due to media coverage.