On This Day in History: First Estonian-Language Voice of America Broadcast Aired in 1951

Today marks an important milestone in media history – in 1951, the first Estonian-language Voice of America broadcast went on air. This was a significant step in reaching Estonians behind the Iron Curtain.

In 1951, an important chapter was written in Estonian media and cultural history when the first Estonian-language Voice of America (VOA) broadcast went on air. This event marked the beginning of regular radio transmissions aimed at bringing news and information from the free world to Estonians living under Soviet rule.

Voice of America was an international broadcasting organization of the United States that established language services in many countries with the aim of delivering independent journalism to those who lacked access to free information by other means. Estonian-language broadcasts were particularly important because Estonia was at that time under Soviet occupation and local media was subject to strict censorship.

During the Cold War period, Voice of America became an essential tool through which many Estonians gained access to objective news and information about events in the wider world. Broadcasts were transmitted on shortwave, which made it possible to listen to them despite the circumstances.