Citing legal and financial reasons, Armenia’s state radio will not extend its contract with Radio Free Europe/Radio
 |
Originally created by the CIA to foster counterrevolution in socialist Eastern European and Soviet bloc countries during the so-called Cold War, Radio Free Europe later merged with the similarly-minded Radio Liberty to form RFE/RL. Congress funds the broadcasts to promote U.S. interests in Europe and elsewhere.
The U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors has not been shy about the interventionist nature of the broadcasts. “Armenians go to the polls in eight months to choose their next president, and therefore it is particularly important that RFE/RL’s broadcasts … reach the largest possible audience,” the BBG stated.
