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Archives télé et radio de Radio-Canada

Home > Life and Society > Our Voice to the World: 60 Years of Radio Canada International


Our Voice to the World: 60 Years of Radio Canada International

In February 1945, the "Voice of Canada" spoke to the world for the first time. The CBC International Service was founded to broadcast to Armed Forces overseas in the Second World War. At war's end the radio service focused on telling the world about Canada in over a dozen languages. Despite budget cuts and critics who accused it of employing communists or operating as a government mouthpiece, the service now called Radio Canada International has persevered. CBC Archives looks back on RCI's 60 years on shortwave.

 
Broadcasting to the world

 
A signal from home

 
René Lévesque reports from Korea

 Broadcasting to the world

The International Service of the CBC launches with an address from Prime Minister Mackenzie King. (Radio; runs 10:57)

 A signal from home

The shortwave service brings news to Canadians overseas after the Second World War. (Radio; runs 5:16)

 René Lévesque reports from Korea

An International Service correspondent entices the Korean Army to sing for him. (Radio; runs 1:55)

 
Broadcasting behind the Iron Curtain

 
Rawhide salutes the shortwave service

 
Internal scrutiny and External Affairs

 Broadcasting behind the Iron Curtain

The shortwave service goes to great lengths to reach listeners in communist countries. (TV; runs 12:10)

 Rawhide salutes the shortwave service

Max Ferguson takes a comical look at the "voice of Canada" on its 15th anniversary. (Radio; runs 19:48)

 Internal scrutiny and External Affairs

Have there ever been communists at the International Service? (Radio; runs 9:01)

 
Warhol paints Gretzky

 
RCI responds to China in crisis

 
On the chopping block

 Warhol paints Gretzky

Sports fans and art collectors unite! RCI reports on a gallery opening featuring Andy Warhol's portraits of the Great One. (Radio; runs 3:12)

 RCI responds to China in crisis

Chinese broadcasts are rushed to air after the massacre in Tiananmen Square. (TV; runs 2:09)

 On the chopping block

Staff and listeners defend the shortwave service as extinction seems certain after a cut in funding. (TV; runs 5:57)

 
Last-minute reprieve

   
 Last-minute reprieve

A new funding formula gives RCI another year on the air, but there are no promises beyond that. (Radio; runs 5:43)

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