•HCON 242 IH
Whereas Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty were es-
tablished 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 pro-
viding regional and international news, thus pre-
venting the communist governments from estab-
lishing a monopoly on the dissemination of informa-
tion and providing an alternative to the state-con-
trolled, party dominated domestic media;
Whereas the broadcast of uncensored news and informa-
tion by Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty was a
critical element contributing to the collapse of the to-
talitarian 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 demo-
cratic 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 eco-
nomic leaders who have worked to strengthen civil so-
ciety, free market economies, and democratic govern-
ment institutions;
Whereas United States Government funding established
and continues to support international broadcasting,
including RFE/RL, and this funding is among the
most useful and effective in promoting and enhancing
•HCON 242 IH
the Nation’s national security over the past half cen-
tury;
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 audi-
ences—people living in fledgling democracies where
private media are still weak and do not enjoy full edi-
torial independence, transitional societies where
democratic institutions and practices are poorly de-
veloped, 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 trans-
formations in emerging democracies as well as
strengthening civil society in these areas;
Whereas RFE/RL broadcasts seek to combat ethnic, ra-
cial, and religious intolerance and promote mutual
understanding among peoples;
Whereas RFE/RL provides a model for local media, as-
sists 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 na-
tional media that provides both credibility and secu-
rity 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
•HCON 242 IH
states of Central Europe and the former Soviet re-
publics: Now therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) congratulates the editors, journalists, and
managers of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on a
half century of effort in promoting democratic val-
ues, and particularly their contribution to promoting
freedom of the press and freedom of expression in
areas of the world where such liberties have been de-
nied or are not yet fully institutionalized; and
(2) recognizes the major contribution of Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty to the growth of democ-
racy throughout the world and its continuing efforts
to advance the vital national interests of the United
States in building a world community that is more
peaceful, democratic, free, and stable.
Æ