Radio

In relation to Inter-American Treaties, Conventions and Agreements adopted within the framework of the OAS

The Organization of American States (a list of Members of the Organization of American States is here) adopted the following international instruments regarding Amateur Radio:

• Protocol of Amendment to the Inter-American Convention on an International Amateur Radio Permit
• Inter-American Convention on the International Amateur Radio Permit
• Inter-American Amateur Radio Service Convention (Lima Convention)
• Amendment of Article Seven of the Inter-American Amateur Radio Services Convention (Lima Convention)

Radio Free Europe

Radio Free Europe (RFE), publicly supported, privately operated American radio network that transmits news and cultural programs to Eastern European nations. Founded in the 1950s, the network’s original purpose was to provide listeners with information about world affairs often withheld by the Communist governments in power at the time. In 1976 RFE merged with Radio Liberty (RL), which was providing similar services to the nations formerly included in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). After these Communist regimes collapsed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) continued to broadcast news, features, special reports, and news analysis to the region.

Radio Free Europe was founded by private citizens in 1950 as a division of the Free Europe Committee, an American organization dedicated to opposing Communism in Europe. RFE began broadcasting to Eastern Europe the same year. Radio Liberty was founded in 1951 and began broadcasting to the USSR. Both networks were subsidized heavily by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) until 1971, when the Congress of the United States began to fund them directly.

RFE/RL has its headquarters in Munich, Germany. About half of the network’s broadcast time is devoted to hourly newscasts. Additional time is devoted to programs on literature, art, music, and political affairs. Broadcasts are made in more than 20 languages. The network’s staff has included well-known entertainers and experts on government, business, and science. Many staff members are exiles or emigrants from formerly Communist countries.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Radio Free Europe in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Radio Free Europe