A Double-Edge Sword? Mass Media and Nonviolent Dissent in Autocracies

It is often assumed that nondemocratic regimes will control mass media and suppress independent information, but in many autocracies the are partially free imperfectly controlled. We argue partial freedom can increase prospects for nonviolent dissent. develop a theory emphasizing how even less than perfectly outlets ability of individuals to coordinate mobilize, provide an informational endowment help non-state actors overcome collective mobilization barriers. further this amplifies effect other influences spurring protests autocracies, particular protest contagion elections. find empirical support our argument analysis all between 1955 2013. A case study Georgian Rose revolution provides postulated mechanisms.