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What happens when governments cook the books

What happens when governments cook the books

Summary

The article discusses the consequences of governments manipulating economic data, using examples from Argentina and Greece. It highlights the potential long-term impact of such actions on credibility and recovery. It also references a recent event involving a U.S. official related to data integrity concerns.

Key Facts

  • The article explains the firing of the head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, raising concerns about data manipulation.
  • Argentina attempted to hide true inflation rates, which ultimately backfired.
  • Greece faced challenges in addressing manipulated data after it was discovered.
  • Economists and statisticians worry about the trustworthiness of data when governments interfere.
  • The process of correcting manipulated data can be complicated and has long-term impacts.
  • The episode was produced by analysts at NPR's Planet Money program, exploring the effects of data manipulation through historical examples.
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