BBC Brings Back Old-Timey Shortwave Radio To Reach Russian Listeners

As Russia clamps down on information entering the country, most notably having blocked Facebook and Twitter, the BBC is bringing back an old-timey broadcasting method from World War II in hopes of reaching listeners.

Shortwave radio, which makes use of frequencies that can travel over long distances, will be used to broadcast the BBC’s World Service News in English for four hours a day, both in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and parts of Russia.

“It’s often said truth is the first casualty of war,” said Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC. 

“In a conflict, where disinformation and propaganda is rife, there is a clear need for factual and independent news people can trust.” 

According to the New York Times, shortwave radio has been the go-to channel for reaching listeners in conflict zones over the past several decades. It was used to send messages to soldiers in the Persian Gulf War, and even dispatch secret codes to spies in North Korea. 

Following the advent of the internet, the BBC decided to retire its shortwave radio transmissions in Europe 14 years ago, but is now reviving its channels to cover the ongoing Ukrainian invasion. 

Expectedly, Russia hasn’t been too pleased with the BBC ramping up its coverage of the invasion. 

Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the country’s Foreign Ministry, claims the broadcaster “plays a determined role in undermining the Russian stability and security” and alleged Russia is a victim of “unprecedented information terrorism.”

As per The Guardian, despite the unsubstantiated claims, the BBC has seen a huge influx of readers to its site from Ukraine and Russia since the start of the conflict. 

In fact, in the last week of February, the BBC’s Ukrainian site saw visitors more than double to 3.9 million readers. Its Russian site reached a staggering 10.7 million visitors during the same time, tripling its weekly average in 2022.

Residents in Kyiv and Russia seeking independent news coverage can access the BBC’s broadcast on 15735 kHz from 4pm to 6pm, and on 5875 kHz from 10pm to midnight, Ukraine time (GMT +2). 

[via New York Times and The Guardian, cover image via Casimiro PT / Shutterstock.com]