The media played a huge part in helping people support the Civil Rights Movement in a few important ways:
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Television:
- By the early 1960s, more than 90% of people in the U.S. had a TV. This meant that important events could be shown to everyone at home.
- For example, the 1963 March on Washington, which had about 250,000 people joining in, was televised. This let millions of viewers see just how important the message of racial equality was.
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Print Media:
- Newspapers and magazines wrote a lot about events like the Birmingham Campaign. For example, when they reported on the police treating peaceful protesters harshly in Birmingham in 1963, it changed many people's opinions. Support for civil rights among white people in the North jumped from 27% to 60%.
- Pictures showing protesters being attacked by fire hoses and police dogs were shared widely, making people feel angry and sympathetic across the country.
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Radio:
- Radio helped spread information fast. News about events like the Freedom Rides made people want to support the cause and donate money, which was very important for keeping the movement going.
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Statistics:
- Studies showed that when the media covered civil rights issues, more people supported changes in the law. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, for example, passed with around 60% of people in favor.
- The way the media portrayed civil rights activists as heroes, especially compared to violent segregationists, made people feel more positively about the movement.
In summary, the media didn't just tell people what was happening; it also made the struggle for civil rights feel personal. This helped gather support that was key to the successes of the Civil Rights Movement.