On the Crest of a (Short) Wave: The Rise and Fall of International Radio Broadcasting

Since 1927 international broadcasters have spanned oceans and transcended borders through the use of shortwave radio. In the beginning of the 21st century, some longtime shortwave stations have sharply cut back their English language services, particularly to North America and the Pacific region; at least one station has signed off forever. This paper examines the history of shortwave broadcasting--how it came to be, how it was used and by whom. Through interviews with broadcasters and listeners, it also explores the nature of the shortwave "experience"--especially how shortwave listening is different from listening to other media. Finally, this paper looks at what forces have precipitated such rapid and drastic changes in an 80-year old medium, why some adherents say new technologies are not necessarily suitable substitutes for shortwave, and what the near future holds for international radio broadcasting.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts

Year

2007

Author dc:creator

• Dunn, Robert L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Graves, Kevin
• Overton, John Hamp
• McGowan-Hartmann, John

• shortwave radio
• international broadcasting
• radio broadcasting
• radio propaganda

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1055

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uno.edu:td-2036