Charles Coughlin
A Catholic priest, one of the first political leaders to use radio to reach a mass audience
Real World Example
Charles Coughlin was a Catholic priest who became famous for using radio to reach millions of Americans during the 1930s. Initially, he supported President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, which aimed to help the U.S. recover from the Great Depression. However, he later turned against Roosevelt, criticizing the New Deal and advocating for more radical economic reforms. Coughlin's use of radio demonstrated the power of mass media to influence public opinion, a concept that remains relevant today as social media platforms allow individuals and groups to reach wide audiences. For example, just like Coughlin's broadcasts, today's podcasts and YouTube channels are used by influencers to shape public discourse and mobilize support for various causes.
