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Broadcasting Equality: Media Narratives and the Rise of Civil Rights

Author

Listed:
  • Armand, Alex
  • Atwell, Paul
  • Gomes, Joseph Flavian
  • Musillo, Giuseppe
  • Schenk, Yannik

Abstract

We document the influence of media narratives in counteracting racial prejudice by exploring the emergence of socially inclusive narratives in post-WWII U.S. media. We exploit an unprecedented experiment that created exogenous exposure to these narratives: in 1946, amid widespread racial divisions, the popular children’s radio series The Adventures of Superman suddenly decided to promote equality by reframing its fictional stories. We find that exposure to these narratives significantly contributed to the advancement of civil rights in subsequent decades. Specifically, we uncover increased support for civil rights and civil rights organizations, deeper racial assimilation, and more progressive political positions.

Suggested Citation

  • Armand, Alex & Atwell, Paul & Gomes, Joseph Flavian & Musillo, Giuseppe & Schenk, Yannik, 2023. "Broadcasting Equality: Media Narratives and the Rise of Civil Rights," CEPR Discussion Papers 18207, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:18207
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mass media; Narrative; Radio; Segregation; Ku Klux Klan; Superman; Intolerance; Civil rights; Racism; Protest;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D7 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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