AP News story (obviously they checked, and then rechecked the facts)


Radio Free Europe Woos Russian Listeners


PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) - Ronald Reagan used it to reach out to the Soviets
during the Cold War. Lech Walesa, the leader of Poland's Solidarity movement,
likened it to the sun lighting the Earth. Rock band R.E.M. immortalized it in a
cynical hit song.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is trying to woo new listeners in Russia with a
controversial overhaul that former dissidents and other critics contend will
compromise its reputation and influence as a beacon of democracy.

``We're becoming just another bunch of blah-blah-blah on the air,'' Lev
Roitman, a senior commentator for the private U.S.-funded station, said
Thursday. ``They must be idiots to do something like this at this critical time
in Russia.''