David Goodman 
Radio’s Civic Ambition 
American Broadcasting and Democracy in the 1930s

In its golden age, American radio both entertained and also fostered programs meant to produce self-governing and opinion-forming individuals, promoting openness to change and tolerance of diversity, familiarity with classical music, and knowledge of world affairs. As author David Goodman argues, the ambitions of radio’s golden age have strong significance today as evidence that media regulation in the public interest can have significant and often positive effects.