One reason dictators can remain in power is because they control the media.
Most Russians still have no idea that Vladimir Putin has declared war on Ukraine. Many Chinese are clueless about the human rights abuses of the Uyghurs, the demise of democracy in Hong Kong or Xi Jinping’s threats to invade Taiwan.
But not even the most sophisticated leader can seal every leak.
Radio Free Asia still manages to reach segments in China. And in the case of Russia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty still broadcasts, though recently in more limited amounts and predominantly in digital format.
The stations’ sole purpose is to bring independent news to these otherwise “dark” reaches of the world.
Their history is rich.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has been broadcasting to Russian audiences since 1953 in the infancy of the Cold War, 1947-1991. During the “glasnost” years initiated by leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986 and furthered by Boris Yeltsin up until 1991, the network flourished, including a Moscow office as well as news bureaus stationed all across the U.S.S.R.
Shortly after he came to power in 2000, Putin yanked the news service’s official privileges and began to routinely subject its staff to threats, harassment and intimidation.
On March 4, the radio station suspended operations in Russia when radio executives and staff were threatened with imprisonment for publishing news about the invasion into Ukraine.
The threats are not idle. In the last four weeks, more than 15,000 Russians have been arrested for protesting the war in Ukraine.
For the first time in 30 years, the iron curtain has been drawn between Russian-controlled countries and the West. Free speech is strictly forbidden.
Even so, radio officials are not giving up.
In what appears to be a game of whack-a-mole to outsmart Putin, the network continues to reach Russian audiences by publishing on an ever-changing variety of platforms.
Its president and CEO, Jamie Fly, remains undaunted.
“Despite this bleak moment, we know from our organization’s 70-year history that one day, perhaps sooner than many think, we will be able to reopen a bureau in Russia,” Fly said. “Time is on the side of liberty, even in Vladimir Putin’s Russia.”
