Radio faces similar challenges today as in the interwar period, says historian Simonas Potteris

Radio broadcasting began after World War I, with military radio communications repurposed for informational use during the interwar period, historian Simonas Potteris of the University of Bristol told a conference in Lithuania, as reported by LRT.

Between 1920 and 1930, most European countries started transmitting news and entertainment programs over the airwaves. Lithuania launched its own broadcasts on June 12, 1926. Potteris noted that radio now faces serious challenges in many countries and has become a kind of heritage medium.

He drew parallels between the interwar era and today, as democratic foundations are increasingly undermined and free media is more frequently targeted. During the interwar period, radio became a tool for totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, including in Lithuania under Antanas Smetona’s rule. Similarly, Potteris sees modern attempts to control free media as reminiscent of past dictatorships.

Radio also opened new possibilities for broadcasting beyond national borders, a strategy that became central during the Cold War. States used radio waves to influence ethnic communities in other countries, particularly after the redrawing of borders following the Treaty of Versailles. The League of Nations, tasked with maintaining peace, observed negative trends leading to restrictions both domestically and internationally.

Potteris argued that the history of Western democracies’ response to Nazi, fascist, and communist propaganda in the 20th century demonstrated a more powerful counter—one that blurred the lines between truth, lies, information, cultural expression, and soft power to enhance the effectiveness of messaging across borders.

Reflecting on radio’s legacy, Potteris said that while it held far greater power and influence 50 years ago, its historical impact—both in the interwar period and the Cold War—remains significant. He added that in today’s complex media landscape, slower but verified information is essential, and radio should not be prematurely dismissed as obsolete.

Potteris spoke at a conference titled “Radio 100: Space. Tool. Stage,” organized by the Lithuanian Institute of History on June 3.