Sparks of Liberty

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During the Cold War, Radio Liberty emerged as a vital source of information for listeners in the Soviet Union, broadcasting in Russian and other languages about various aspects of Soviet life. This work provides an insider's perspective on the origins and evolution of Radio Liberty, as Gene Sosin, a key executive for thirty-three years, combines personal anecdotes with archival documents. He chronicles the station's journey from Stalin's death to the USSR's collapse and its ongoing role in the post-Soviet landscape. Sosin details Radio Liberty's early struggles against KGB terrorism, Soviet jamming, and pressures from U.S. political figures who viewed it as a threat to détente. He highlights how the station adapted its content to reflect changing political climates, incorporating insights from experts on Soviet affairs. The narrative is enriched with stories of Western political figures and dissidents, such as Sakharov and Solzhenitsyn, whose messages of rights and freedoms resonated with listeners. Ultimately, Radio Liberty became the most popular Western station, playing a significant role during the 1991 coup attempt against Gorbachev and Yeltsin. Transitioning into the post-Soviet era, it has become a model for Russian media and continues to promote democratic ideals across former Soviet nations. This account captures the legacy of an enterprise that has realized its mission and remains a beacon of hope.