The Role of the Media in the Cuban Revolution: Resource-Mobilization Theory and Cultural Framing
Abstract
On January 1st, 1959, a small band of Cuban rebels shocked the world, overthrowing the American-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. These rebels were especially known for their guerrilla tactics and their leaders, such as Fidel Castro and Ernesto “Che” Guevara. Yet, aside from these military tactics and leaders, the Cuba rebels also tactfully utilized the media. Notably, Castro’s forces benefitted greatly from an article published in the New York Times. As such, this paper applies the theories of resource-mobilization and cultural framing to the New York Times’ article on the Cuban rebels. By focusing on the New York Times’ article, both theories suggest that the media served to undermine the Batista-regime and support the revolutionary cause. Nevertheless, this paper will demonstrate that each theory offers an incomplete analysis of the media in revolutions, failing to account for structural factors.