Lasting Impact
“Radio Free Europe has been a lot more important than the armies and the most sophisticated missiles. The ‘missiles’ that destroyed Communism were launched from Radio Free Europe, and this was Washington’s most important investment during the Cold War. I don't know whether the Americans themselves realize this now, seven years after the fall of Communism, but we understand it perfectly well."
—Emil Constantinescu, President of Romania 1997-2007 (Bransten, “RFE/RL: Reporting 1989”)
RFE/RL was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize of 1991 for their role in the Revolutions of 1989 and one of the main radio hosts at RFE/RL's Romanian service, Monica Lovinescu, was awarded the Order of the Romanian Star (Romania's highest civil order) in 1999 by then-president, Emil Constantinescu.
When nominating RFE/RL for the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, Lennart Meri said:
"There is an abundance of evidence... that Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty have made, and continue to make a unique contribution to the rebirth of democracy in our region of the world, upon which lasting peace depends."
—Lennart Meri, Estonian President 1992-2001 ("RFE/RL Nominated for Nobel Peace in 1991," Jan. 1991)
RFE/RL is remembered as a symbol of communist defiance and a beacon of truth.
(O'Hare, Mick. "24 December 1989: Romanians Jubilant at the News That Ceausescus Have Been Arrested." 24 Dec. 1989. Photograph. Independant.)
Ciprian Crainiceanu was asked what he remembers about RFE/RL more that 31 years after the Romanian Revolution, he answered:
"It was refreshing to hear somebody talk about something that is completely different from the information that you are fed every day and you realize... a lot of the information that you are fed is lies."
—Ciprian Crainiceanu, Personal interview conducted as a part of NHD research (Interview, Ciprian Crainiceanu, 24 Jan. 2021)
Listeners in Romania will forever be grateful for the glimpse of reality provided by RFE/RL's broadcasts.
During communism, a Romanian sent a letter to RFE/RL saying:
"Listening to you on the radio renews our courage for life. We thank you very, very much for all you do for us. Through you we learn of many things that happen in our country and in the world."
—Anonymous Sender (Krasaskiene, "No One Is Afraid To Talk To Us Anymore," Dec. 1989)
This shows how appreciative Romanians were of RFE/RL and how RFE/RL left an impact on them because it was one of the few sources they could trust.
Radio Free Europe stoked the fire of revolution and connected Romanians when communication was policed. Since the revolution ended, Romania has worked to advance itself, became a member of NATO in 2004, and joined the European Union in 2007. This was largely possible because of RFE/RL's broadcasts that spoke the truth to the Romanian people when Ceaușescu refused to.
RFE/RL continued to broadcast after the revolution and contributed to a stable democratic transition in post-communist Romania. The Romanian service was disbanded on August 1, 2008, because they completed their mission of providing free media in communist countries, but broadcasting to Romania resumed January 14, 2019.