On the Media S2 THE DIVIDED DIAL EPISODE 2: You Must Form Your Militia Units
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May 14, 2025 Explore the fascinating evolution of shortwave radio as a communication tool from a bastion of peace to a breeding ground for extremism. Learn about the rise of anti-government militias and their strategic use of airwaves to spread divisive rhetoric. Discover the unexpected unity at events like the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, where diverse factions coalesced against federal authority. The chilling connections between shortwave broadcasts and tragic events like the Oklahoma City bombing illustrate the dangerous legacy of this medium in the realm of far-right ideology.
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Radio for Peace's Early Warnings
- Radio for Peace International was a pacifist shortwave station in Costa Rica exposing far-right broadcasts.
- It highlighted emerging extremist voices that would later transform U.S. militia movements.
WWCR’s Open Air for Extremists
- WWCR was a small U.S. shortwave station that sold airtime to evangelists and far-right hosts.
- This openness made it a hotspot for early militia and conspiracy movement broadcasts.
Shortwave's Regulatory Blind Spot
- Despite FCC rules, shortwave stations mainly aimed broadcasts at U.S. citizens with anti-government messaging.
- This lack of oversight allowed right-wing extremists to dominate shortwave airwaves.
