107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 242

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s

success in promoting democracy and its continuing contribution to United States national interests.

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 242

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas on May 1, 1951, Radio Free Europe inaugurated its

full schedule of broadcast services to the people of Eastern Europe and, subsequently, Radio Liberty initiated its

broadcast services to the peoples of the Soviet Union on

March 1, 1953, just before the death of Stalin;

Whereas now fifty years later, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL, Inc.) continues to promote democracy and
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human rights and serve United States national interests

by fulfilling its mission ‘‘to promote democratic values

and institutions by disseminating factual information and

ideas’’;

Whereas Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty were established in the darkest days of the cold war as a substitute

for the free media which no longer existed in the communist-dominated countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union;

Whereas Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty developed a

unique form of international broadcasting known as surrogate broadcasting by airing local news about the countries to which they broadcast as well as providing regional and international news, thus preventing the communist governments from establishing a monopoly on the

dissemination of information and providing an alternative

to the state-controlled, party dominated domestic media;

Whereas the broadcast of uncensored news and information

by Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty was a critical

element contributing to the collapse of the totalitarian

communist governments of Central and Eastern Europe

and the Soviet Union;

Whereas since the fall of the Iron Curtain, RFE/RL has continued to inform and therefore strengthen democratic

forces in Central Europe and the countries of the former

Soviet Union, and has contributed to the development of

a new generation of political and economic leaders who

have worked to strengthen civil society, free market

economies, and democratic government institutions;

Whereas United States Government funding established and

continues to support international broadcasting, including
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RFE/RL, and this funding is among the most useful and

effective in promoting and enhancing the Nation’s national security over the past half century;

Whereas RFE/RL has successfully downsized in response to

legislative mandate and adapted its programming to the

changing international broadcast environment in order to

serve a broad spectrum of target audiences—people living

in fledgling democracies where private media are still

weak and do not enjoy full editorial independence, transitional societies where democratic institutions and practices are poorly developed, as well as countries which still

have tightly controlled state media;

Whereas RFE/RL continues to provide objective news, analysis, and discussion of domestic and regional issues crucial to democratic and free-market transformations in

emerging democracies as well as strengthening civil society in these areas;

Whereas RFE/RL broadcasts seek to combat ethnic, racial,

and religious intolerance and promote mutual understanding among peoples;

Whereas RFE/RL provides a model for local media, assists

in training to encourage media professionalism and independence, and develops partnerships with local media

outlets in emerging democracies;

Whereas RFE/RL is a unique broadcasting institution long

regarded by its audience as an alternative national media

that provides both credibility and security for local journalists who work as its stringers and editors in the

broadcast region; and

Whereas RFE/RL fosters closer relations between the United

States and other democratic states, and the states of
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Central Europe and the former Soviet republics: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) congratulates the editors, journalists, and

4 managers of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on a

5 half century of effort in promoting democratic val6 ues, and particularly their contribution to promoting

7 freedom of the press and freedom of expression in

8 areas of the world where such liberties have been de9 nied or are not yet fully institutionalized; and

10 (2) recognizes the major contribution of Radio

11 Free Europe/Radio Liberty to the growth of democ12 racy throughout the world and its continuing efforts

13 to advance the vital national interests of the United

14 States in building a world community that is more

15 peaceful, democratic, free, and stable.

Passed the House of Representatives December 5,

2001.

Attest:

Clerk.