The New Yorker Radio Hour: From “On the Media” ’s “Divided Dial” – “Fishing in the Night”

Release Date: May 20, 2025

Hosted by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker, The New Yorker Radio Hour presents a compelling episode titled “From ‘On the Media’’s ‘Divided Dial’: ‘Fishing in the Night’”. Hosted by Katie Thornton, a senior producer for the series, this episode delves deep into the intricate world of shortwave radio, tracing its evolution from a beacon of global communication to a tool for propaganda and, ultimately, a platform for extremist messages. This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and notable quotes.

1. Introduction to “Divided Dial”: “Fishing in the Night”

The episode opens with Vincent Cunningham discussing the intersection of media and the papacy, setting a tone of deep analysis and storytelling. Adam Howard then transitions listeners to introduce the special feature from On the Media's second season, “Divided Dial”, focusing on the enigmatic realm of shortwave radio.

“The Catholic Church was made for this moment... oil painting is not enough.”
— Adam Howard [00:12]

Katie Thornton, the host, provides an overview of the episode, emphasizing the historical and contemporary significance of shortwave radio. She contrasts Season One's focus on the rise of right-wing talk radio with Season Two's exploration of shortwave's faded yet potent influence.

2. The Legacy and Art of Shortwave Radio

Katie shares her personal journey into the world of shortwave radio, recounting her experiences with David Goren, a passionate shortwave enthusiast and member of the Library of Congress's Radio Preservation Task Force. Their collaboration highlights the allure and technical marvel of shortwave radio.

“There's something magical about tuning into the world, training my ear to listen through the crackle, hearing the distance.”
— Katie Thornton [02:14]

David Goren reminisces about his childhood fascination with shortwave, introduced by his uncle in the 1970s, illustrating how shortwave opened a window to the world beyond his immediate surroundings.

3. Shortwave Radio in the Early 20th Century

The narrative shifts to the origins of radio broadcasting, beginning with AM radio in the 1920s. Initially designed for local transmission, AM radio's limitation in range gave rise to the phenomenon of long-distance signal reception at night, known as “fishing in the night”.

“Long distance telephone calls were the costly domain of dignitaries and government officials... a disembodied voice without a wire.”
— Adam Howard [08:39]

Listeners in the early days were captivated by mysterious broadcasts emanating from distant cities, fueling both fascination and myths about radio communication.

4. The Emergence of Shortwave Radio

Shortwave radio emerged as a solution to AM's limited range. Contrary to initial skepticism, shortwaves proved capable of transmitting signals over vast distances, sometimes spanning up to 10,000 miles. This breakthrough transformed radio from a local affair to a global medium.

“Shortwave could use the ionosphere as a springboard. And this changed the game for AM broadcasters who wanted their station to reach more people.”
— Adam Howard [12:35]

Amateur radio operators, or "hams," played a pivotal role in demonstrating shortwave's potential, laying the groundwork for commercial and governmental use.

5. Shortwave as a Tool of War and Propaganda

The 1930s marked a turning point as governments recognized shortwave radio's strategic value. Germany's state-run shortwave service, for instance, shifted from cultural programming to overt Nazi propaganda in multiple languages, aiming to influence international audiences, particularly in the United States.

“They were trying to persuade Americans that... it should be more than clear to us that if we are ever going to be free, we must liberate ourselves.”
— Michelle Helms [28:34]

In response, the Allies established their own shortwave networks. The Voice of America (VOA) launched in 1942, broadcasting in numerous languages to counter Axis propaganda. The BBC expanded its World Service, providing pro-Allied news to a global audience.

“The Voice of America was very highly respected and many people think that it... did a great deal to help us win the war.”
— Michelle Helms [21:37]

6. The Cold War: Shortwave Becomes a Battleground

During the Cold War, shortwave radio became a central arena for ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. Radio Free Europe (RFE) emerged as a clandestine operation funded by the CIA, aiming to deliver anti-communist messages and support pro-Western sentiments in Eastern Europe.

“Radio Free Europe was a flame throwing anti communist shortwave network.”
— Adam Howard [25:31]

The Soviet Union countered with Radio Moscow, broadcasting extensive propaganda in over 70 languages. Both superpowers invested heavily in shortwave infrastructure, recognizing its power to shape public opinion and influence global politics.

“The Cold War was over. On this medium that seemed almost tailor made for propaganda. There was vacancy, airtime for rent.”
— Vincent Cunningham [32:16]

7. Cultural Influence: Music as a Propaganda Tool

Music played a strategic role in shortwave broadcasting. The United States leveraged jazz and later rock music to promote cultural values and counter Soviet narratives. Programs like the VOA Jazz Hour featured American jazz legends, symbolizing freedom and cultural superiority.

“The music of jazz parallels the freedom that we have in America. Something that not every country has.”
— Willis Conover [27:08]

Similarly, rock bands like Metallica and Motley Crue were broadcasted to showcase Western rebellion and appeal to younger audiences, contrasting sharply with the censored and controlled music scenes in communist states.

8. The Decline of Shortwave and Rise of Extremist Messaging

With the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the geopolitical landscape shifted, leading to a decline in shortwave's strategic importance. Deregulation under President Ronald Reagan further altered the medium, prioritizing government-funded propaganda over public broadcasting.

“Reagan's administrators wrung their hands over what to do about rock music... but decided to keep the rebellious racket going on the short waves.”
— Adam Howard [31:06]

As traditional shortwave audiences dwindled, fringe groups and extremist movements began exploiting the medium to disseminate radical ideologies. These groups leveraged the left-over airtime to build movements that eventually influenced mainstream US politics.

“You must form your militia unit. Pay no heed to the federal government which is a counterfeit enemy foreign government.”
— Extremist Broadcaster [33:41]

9. Conclusion: The Transformation of Shortwave Radio

“Fishing in the Night” encapsulates the remarkable journey of shortwave radio from a hopeful connector of global communities to a potent tool for propaganda and, ultimately, a medium for extremist factions. Katie Thornton and her co-hosts illustrate how technological advancements and political climates shape media landscapes, leaving lasting impacts on society.

“In its first seven decades of life, shortwave transformed from an idealistic experiment in global cooperation into a hardened government tool of information warfare.”
— Adam Howard [32:27]

The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the power of media in shaping narratives and influencing global events, emphasizing the delicate balance between communication and control.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• “The Catholic Church was made for this moment... oil painting is not enough.”
  — Adam Howard [00:12]

• “There's something magical about tuning into the world, training my ear to listen through the crackle, hearing the distance.”
  — Katie Thornton [02:14]

• “Long distance telephone calls were the costly domain of dignitaries and government officials... a disembodied voice without a wire.”
  — Adam Howard [08:39]

• “Shortwave could use the ionosphere as a springboard. And this changed the game for AM broadcasters who wanted their station to reach more people.”
  — Adam Howard [12:35]

• “They were trying to persuade Americans that... it should be more than clear to us that if we are ever going to be free, we must liberate ourselves.”
  — Michelle Helms [28:34]

• “The Voice of America was very highly respected and many people think that it... did a great deal to help us win the war.”
  — Michelle Helms [21:37]

• “Radio Free Europe was a flame throwing anti communist shortwave network.”
  — Adam Howard [25:31]

• “The music of jazz parallels the freedom that we have in America. Something that not every country has.”
  — Willis Conover [27:08]

• “Reagan's administrators wrung their hands over what to do about rock music... but decided to keep the rebellious racket going on the short waves.”
  — Adam Howard [31:06]

• “You must form your militia unit. Pay no heed to the federal government which is a counterfeit enemy foreign government.”
  — Extremist Broadcaster [33:41]

• “In its first seven decades of life, shortwave transformed from an idealistic experiment in global cooperation into a hardened government tool of information warfare.”
  — Adam Howard [32:27]

“Photography captures the visible world, but radio captures the invisible connections that bind us across continents and ideologies.” This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour masterfully unpacks the complex legacy of shortwave radio, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of its profound impact on global communication and political discourse.