What I want to hear is programming from a foreign transmitter to my
radio with no mitigating infrastructure (including DRM) in between.


I don't know.... I listen to DRM broadcasts directly from
Junglinster, Luxembourg (there's no "mitigating infrastructure") here
in Detroit. DRM enticed RTL back onto shortwave when they had
previously abandoned it. Same with BBC to North America, Deutsche
Welle to North America, and Radio Sweden.


Unfortunately, relay stations will now be a part of shortwave
broadcasting due to financial constraints and the high cost of land
for the antenna site. Just because a station uses a relay
transmitter doesn't mean that the editorial comment will be affected.

However, it's your choice as to whether you want to listen or not.
You can certainly boycott Radio Sweden or China Radio and listen
exclusively to the huckster Gene Scott since there's no "mitigating
technology" such as relay stations or DRM involved.