In 1942, the United States government implemented a program designed to advance
the reaches of America's public diplomacy efforts. The United States made its international
broadcasting debut with the creation of the Voice of America (VOA). The initial goal of this
service was to undermine prevalent German propaganda during World War II. As U.S Foreign Policy
evolved and international controversies arose, U.S. government broadcasting services expanded
to reach a wider audience. In July of 1950, Radio Free Europe (RFE) began broadcasting to
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Albania, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Three years later, Radio Liberty(RL),
originally named Radio Liberation From Bolshevism, went on the air targeting the Soviet
Union. In 1983, under President Reagan, a service aimed specifically at Cuba named Radio Marti
was created. The youngest member of the United States international broadcasting family, Radio Free
Asia (RFA), was born in 1996. Although many applaud the successes of these American government stations,
others protest their presence on the airwaves.
This web site explores the evolution of U.S. international broadcasting services (VOA,
RFE/RL,Radio Marti,Radio Free Asia).
- World War II.....Learn about the creation of these services, and how the United States
came to value the resources radio provided. In reflection, the creation of a U.S. international radio service during World War II
served as one of the first experiments in the potential globalization of media.
- The Cold War.....As the Cold War inched its way to the forefront of U.S. Foreign Policy, these
radio services became warriors against communism.
- Present uses of these services.....Many argue that these services have fulfilled the goals
set forth. Are they now relics of past wars, or are they still a necessary element of U.S. policy?
PRESENT USES-- RESOURCES-- AUTHOR INFO
