Propaganda and Conflict: Evidence from the Rwandan Genocide *

TLDR

The study examines how mass media influences state-sponsored violence during conflict. Using village-level data from the Rwandan genocide, the authors estimate the effect of a radio station that promoted violence against the Tutsi. Broadcasts from the radio station increased militia and civilian killings, accounting for about 10 % of total violence, with spillover effects in neighboring villages outweighing direct impacts.

Abstract

Abstract This article investigates the role of mass media in times of conflict and state-sponsored mass violence against civilians. We use a unique village-level data set from the Rwandan genocide to estimate the impact of a popular radio station that encouraged violence against the Tutsi minority population. The results show that the broadcasts had a significant effect on participation in killings by both militia groups and ordinary civilians. An estimated 51,000 perpetrators, or approximately 10% of the overall violence, can be attributed to the station. The broadcasts increased militia violence not only directly by influencing behavior in villages with radio reception but also indirectly by increasing participation in neighboring villages. In fact, spillovers are estimated to have caused more militia violence than the direct effects. Thus, the article provides evidence that mass media can affect participation in violence directly due to exposure and indirectly due to social interactions.