Ethnic Media and the Mobilization of Identity

Bibliographic Data

ID6244740
AuthorsGiacomo Lemoli (0000-0002-2748-7862, Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse, Toulouse School of Economics, University of Toulouse Capitole, Toulouse, France, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume58
Issue5
Pages890-923
Publication date2025-04-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueComparative Political Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0010-4140 • E-ISSN: 1552-3829
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/00104140241252076
OpenAlexW4399354378
LanguageEN
References cited48

This paper studies the relationship between ethnic media, which produce content in a minority language, and the success of ethnic parties. I argue that, by embedding cultural traits in entertainment products, media outlets can shape the salience of group identity, which helps parties’ mobilization efforts. I test this argument in the case of the Basque Country where, in the late phase of the Franco regime, an independent radio station operated by local clergy promoted the revival of regional language. Using contemporary, archival, and survey data, I show that exposure to ethnic radio increased support for new radical independentist parties and that the effect is driven by formerly Spanish-speaking municipalities with low historical support for Basque nationalism. I also show that radio increased bilingualism in subsequent generations and contributed to the bundling of ethnic identity revival and radical political ideology during the democratic transition

Ethnic group · Identity (music · Mobilization · Political mobilization · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Gender Studies · Law · Media Influence and Politics

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