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	HU OSA 300-6-3
Fonds 300:	Records of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Research Institute (RFE/RL RI)
Subfonds 6:	Media and Opinion Research Department
Series 3:	Soviet Area Audience and Opinion Research

Date(s) 1975-1994

Extent and medium 12 Archival boxes, 2 linear meters

Scope and content

The series contains monthly summaries about listeners’ reactions to Radio Liberty and Radio Free Europe Baltic Services and about Radio Liberty’s appeal and audibility.

The data drawn from Soviet emigrants or visitors is presented as statistical results concerning listening habits and preferences (listening times, days and frequency of listening) and as personal comments of random listeners interviewed or organized into panels to discuss the programs. The citizens’ comments are divided into responses to Russian-language broadcasts and nationality broadcasts.

Unlike the audience analyses conducted for the East-European area, these surveys present a more balanced account of abstract and personal image of Radio Liberty. In this sense, the detailed scripts of the panel discussions and the strategic requirements of such settings might be of special interest. They are symptomatic of the radio officials’ eagerness to gather detailed information about remote audiences despite the lack of proper conditions requested in such surveys. In comparison with the surveys completed by Radio Free Europe’s research division, these analyses provide more insight on Radio Liberty broadcasts, as they are amply cited during the panelists’ discussions.

Accruals Not expected

Language/scripts of material English

Finding aids

• 12 containers

Related units of description

• HU OSA 300-6-1 Administrative Files, 1956-1994
• HU OSA 300-6-2 East Europe Area and Opinion Research, 1962-1990

Date(s) of descriptions

Processed by Olga Zaslavskaya in 2005; described by Ioana Toma in February 2009
Online version updated 21 January 2010