USSR: On November 15, 1964, western listeners can't believe their ears: here is the USSR.S.S. giving the voice to its public opinion! Radio Peace, a "free" radio broadcasting from Moscow. floods the airwaves with programs in several languages.It was a pale copy of Radio Europe Libre with Muscovite sauce!
An adventure that began in 1957: members of Radio Moscow had sent a letter to Nikita Khrouchchev asking to establish a Soviet international broadcaster on the model of RFE/RL.This letter, which acknowledged the effectiveness of the RFE, led the Kremlin to launch in 1964, such a station.
Officially it was a public non-governmental organization. It was registered as an original joint idea of Soviet public agencies. Its members: the Soviet Committee for Peace, the Soviet Committee for Solidarity with Asian and African Countries, the Committee and USSR Women's Youth Organizations, the Union of Friendly Societies with Foreign Countries, the Union of Journalists and the Novosti Agency. His task: "promote mutual understanding and trust among peoples of all countries."
n reality, this machine of propaganda of communist ideals was in the hands of the ideological department of the Central Committee and the KGB. The government had a propaganda radio that was not officially claiming its responsibility.
Radio Paix et Progrès used the technical facilities of Radio Moscow and performed 161 hours a week in 13 languages.The topics discussed followed the official line but were more inclined and direct than Radio Moscow, offering propaganda lines that the Soviet government could disown.
The programs of "Peace and Progress" were divided into half-hour programs. Each program included 10 pieces of information followed by commentary, speeches from representatives of the Soviet and foreign audiences, or answers to letters from the audience. All accompanied by short musical sequences.
The content of the Peace and Progress programs was more insidious than Radio Moscow and it was adapted according to the targeted audiences. As an example:
Off to China... radio shows Washington's hypocrisy in Taiwan and Tibet issues.
Off to Africa... she was the spokesperson against racism and apartheid.
Off to Latin America... she showed support for the Latinos who were defending themselves against North American imperialism.
On the way to Israel... the station was trying to demonstrate that the good people of Israel were the victim of the opportunist of the Zionist government.
Off to Arab countries... she talks about American hypocrisy towards Arabs.
A technique is still applicable even though the name Peace and Progress disappeared in 1991, Radio Spoutnik and RT have resumed.
(Radio Maggazine/FB)
