Media, revolution, and the fall of communism: Latvia, 1986--1991

This dissertation argues that to understand the operation of revolution, we need to understand media. It proposes a framework for understanding the functions of media in revolution and applies it to Latvia's movement to restore its independence. Drawing on archival sources, oral history, and the press, this work focuses on media and movement organization. It argues that media were key facilitators of the movement's activities and its ability to organize a credible challenge to the Soviet regime. In the process, the study explores the lived experience of journalists and how they viewed the role of media in the movement. It examines the competition for media access and control. It considers media in Latvian, Russian and English and target audiences in Latvia, the USSR, and the West. Revolutionaries and political activists seek allies and sympathizers, often beyond their immediate base of operations. In this case the Latvian movement sought such cooperation among other movements and groups in the Soviet Union and the West as well as the non-Latvian population at home. Finally, it explores media as a facet of nonviolent action. Nonviolence was the hallmark of the Latvian movement. Latvian nonviolence had little to do with pacifism, but much to do with media. Unarmed insurrection increased worldwide in the 20th century and this dissertation argues that media have a heightened place of importance in such movements.;This study provides evidence that mass media enable mass movements. Media are important for mounting serious challenges to regime authority. Media aid revolution by organization. This regards communication within the movement and with other groups. Media help coordinate activities, evaluate them, standardize them, and systematize them. Media help seek sympathizers and allies and create a network of activists. Media aid in group cohesion by providing a sense of shared experience. A revolutionary movement will create its own media, but also seek to exploit other media. Media serve as an arena of revolutionary politics.