War of the Waves: Radio and Resistance During World War II

Guido Tabellini, Francesco Sobbrio and Stefano Gagliarducci
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Massimiliano Gaetano Onorato

No 12746, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: What is the role of the media in coordinating and mobilizing insurgency against a foreign military occupation? We analyze this question in the context of the Nazi-fascist occupation of Italy during WWII. We study the effect of BBC radio counter-propaganda (Radio Londra) on the intensity of internal resistance to the Nazi-fascist regime. Using variation in monthly sunspot activities affecting the sky-wave propagation of BBC broadcasting towards Italy, we show that BBC radio had a strong impact on political violence. We provide further evidence to prove that BBC radio played an important role in coordinating resistance activities, but had no lasting role in motivating the population against the fascist regime.

Keywords: Media; Bbc; Counter-propaganda; Insurgency; Violence; Wwii; Sunspots (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D74 L82 N44 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cul and nep-his
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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Related works:
Journal Article: War of the Waves: Radio and Resistance during World War II (2020)
Working Paper: War of the Waves: Radio and Resistance During World War II (2018)
Working Paper: War of the Waves: Radio and Resistance During World War II (2018)
Working Paper: War of the Waves: Radio and Resistance During World War II (2018)
Working Paper: War of the Waves: Radio and Resistance during World War II (2017)
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