This work presents a fresh perspective on U.S. social movement history throughout the twentieth century by analyzing how major national newspapers covered various movements. It examines a wide range of movements, from temperance and women's suffrage to the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street, employing a comparative approach. Utilizing a comprehensive set of digitized newspapers—previously deemed inaccessible for research—the book provides an institutional history of news coverage, exploring the reasons behind media focus and its effects on social movements, both prominent and lesser-known. The authors argue that media coverage is vital for movement visibility, influencing public engagement and perceptions. They highlight how a movement's structure and activities impact its media representation, while also considering the influence of broader political conditions. Notably, the book uncovers significant discrepancies between historical coverage and current academic attention, particularly emphasizing the labor movement's extensive media presence despite its relative neglect in scholarly discourse. The authors conclude by addressing recent changes in media dynamics, including the rise of the Internet, social media, and the decline of traditional journalism, which have favored right-wing movements in gaining attention and pursuing policy changes, often at the expense of leftist movements.
