Shortwave retains a role in serving particularly difficult-to-reach audiences

Russia’s horrific invasion of Ukraine and its simultaneous blocking of Western media outlets has renewed public interest in shortwave radio broadcasters like the federally funded Voice of America. //

“In some areas shortwave is not considered as important as it used to be, mainly due to the proliferation of other media platforms such as internet and satellite-based systems and the media consumption habits of the target demographic in those areas,” Straub said.

“However, in other geographical areas such as Africa, shortwave continues to be very important, as evidenced by the addition of USAGM shortwave capability to this area.”

This is a position that makes sense to Dan Robinson, much as he wishes it didn’t.

“There’s a difference between what I would like to see as someone who was always interested in shortwave and saw the impact that it used to have, and what I think makes sense today,” he said. “At the same time, much of the shrinkage has been driven by VOA, BBC and other broadcasters pulling back from shortwave and their listenership falling as a result, not vice versa.” //

What remains to be seen is how the apparent drop of a new “Iron Curtain” across parts of Eastern Europe affects the West’s ability to reach listeners there. Even today, shortwave’s advocates say that SW remains the cheapest, easiest to conceal and hardest to block option for listeners in Ukraine, Russia and other countries of interest to Vladimir Putin.