Reaching Audiences
Operating within some of the world’s most closed media environments, RFE/RL is pioneering the implementation of technology that combats state censorship, allowing our local services to reach our audiences. Our priorities are two-fold: to counter disinformation by providing independent reporting; and to ensure our audience can access our content safely.
Our Broadcast Impact
yrs
Weekly audience (January–December 2023)
Combined video views (January–December 2023)
Visits to RFE/RL websites (January–December 2023)
Video views on Facebook (January–December 2023)
Countering Disinformation
For over 70 years, RFE/RL has worked to counter disinformation and propaganda. This is why RFE/RL today has comprehensive strategies in place to address Russian and Chinese malign influence.
Fighting Kremlin Disinformation with the Truth
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on independent media demonstrate why RFE/RL’s Russian-language reporting is more important than ever. After the closure of RFE/RL’s Moscow bureau in 2022 – despite government censorship – RFE/RL’s audience reach in Russia has surged to record numbers at times of uncertainty and crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 11 million Russian adults, 10% of the population, consume our content weekly.
Countering CCP Malign Influence & Disinformation
Russian malign influence is not the only threat to democratic values in the countries RFE/RL covers. Chinese propaganda and other forms of destabilizing influence are pervasive and growing. RFE/RL is uniquely positioned to report on Beijing’s foreign policy and financial influence; treatment of its citizens, and Taiwan and Hong Kong; and implications for our local audiences so they can discern the truth.
Circumventing State Censorship
RFE/RL’s priority is always to meet our audience where they are. Our strategies to circumvent censorship are therefore particular to each region so that we are matching our tools to each audience’s needs. However, there are a few commonalities to our overall approach.
Using Innovative Tools
In collaboration with developers at the Open Technology Fund, we use innovative digital tools such as Tor, which offers anonymized browsing; mirror sites that keep websites live by duplicating information across different URLs; and downloadable apps with built-in safe, free, and effective virtual private networks (VPNs).
Developing Satellite Datacasting Methods
In regions where the state blocks Internet access, we have successfully developed satellite datacasting methods that allow us to transmit data through radio waves. These transmissions can be uploaded to community messaging services such as Telegram. This multi-pronged approach keeps our distribution methods flexible to evolving situations and allows our audiences — both new and loyal users — to access factual, local information, often during periods of uncertainty.
The degree of sophistication of state censorship is constantly evolving. In addition to authoritarian learning, states often use national infrastructure to develop new high-tech tracking and blocking technologies. We must continue to innovate and reach even the most closed media environments around the world to be successful in fulfilling our mission.
Where We Work
RFE/RL reports in 27 languages to 23 countries, reaching more than 40 million people every week. With over 1,700 staff, RFE/RL is one of the most comprehensive news operations in the world.
Afghan Service
Despite significant pressure from the Taliban, Radio Azadi is one of the most popular and trusted media outlets in Afghanistan.
Russian Service
Radio Svoboda is a multi-platform alternative to state-controlled media, providing audiences in Russia with independent news and analysis.
Ukrainian Service
Radio Svoboda has set a standard for independence, professionalism, and innovation in its coverage of local news, regional conflict, and global events.
Support Independent Journalism
Join us in advocating for press freedom and supporting RFE/RL journalists who have been unjustly imprisoned.