NaPodPoMo Day 23: De-Platforming vs. Free Speech: The Case of Father Coughlin

In this episode of Outrage Science Bites, we explore the rise and fall of Father Coughlin, a Catholic priest who became one of the most popular and influential radio personalities in the United States during the 1930s. Coughlin's message of populism and anti-Semitism resonated with millions of Americans who were struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression. However, his influence began to decline as his rhetoric became increasingly radical and his ties to Nazi Germany were exposed.

Key Takeaways:

* Father Coughlin's popularity was fueled by the economic and social upheaval of the Great Depression.

* Coughlin's message of scapegoating and conspiracy theories appealed to many Americans who were looking for someone to blame for their problems.

* Coughlin's use of radio, the most powerful medium of the time, allowed him to reach a vast audience.

* Coughlin's influence eventually waned as his ties to Nazi Germany and his increasingly radical rhetoric were exposed.

* Coughlin was ultimately deplatformed by the FCC, the Federal Communications Commission, in 1940 when they revoked his broadcast license

Resources:

* Charles Coughlin (wikipedia)

* Charles E. Coughlin | Holocaust Encyclopedia

* The Outrage Overload Podcast

* Outrage 17 – The billion dollar question for democracy - Tobias Rose-Stockwell