The voice of radio in the battle for equal rights: Evidence from the U.S. South

Although the 1960s race riots have gone down in history as America's most violent and destructive ethnic civil disturbances, a consensus on factors able to explain their insurgence is yet be found. Using novel data set universe of radio stations airing Black-appeal programming, effect media found sizable statistically significant. A marginal (1%) increase signal reception from these estimated lead 2.4% 4.1% rise mean levels frequency intensity riots, respectively. Several mechanisms behind this result are considered, with quantity, quality, length exposure programming all being decisive factors.