The Iron Curtain isn't Soundproof

Even though the Crusade for Freedom officially ended in 1960, free media advertising by the Advertising Council for Radio Free Europe fund raising continued afterwards. One campaign slogan used by the Advertising Council 1964-1966 was, "The Iron Curtain isn't Soundproof."

The goal of the Radio Free Europe Fund campaign in 1964 was 12 million dollars. Public contributions were to be sent to a post office box in Mr. Vernon, New York. The text of one magazine advertisement included these words:

Try as they will, the Communists can't keep out the voice of Radio Free Europe. Nor can they prevent us hearing what they themselves tell -- and don't tell -- to their captive peoples ... It analyzes what they give out as news, and notes the lies, distortions and omissions ... In effect, RFE has become both their local newspapers, opposition press that nobody can stop them reading -- with their ears. Radio Free Europe is a private American enterprise, supported by voluntary subscriptions."

The 13th annual nationwide fund-raising campaign to support RFE began in January 1965. The stated campaign goal was again 12 million dollars. The national chairman was Crawford Hallock Greenewalt, board chairman of Du Pont Company. Corporate contributions from 59 major industry classifications was the focus of the Radio Free Europe Fund state chairman. Funds were also solicited from general public. 

A 1965 magazine advertisement had a photograph that showed strands of barbed wire with the rhetorical question: "How do you get the truth through?" The answer in the advertisement was:

The Iron Curtain isn't soundproof ... Radio Free Europe is a bridge between two blocks: the captive and the free. Most important: Radio Free Europe -- because it exists and continues to exist -- helps millions hold onto the will for freedom and the drive for freedom ... Whatever you can contribute will mean a great deal to a good many people behind the Iron Curtain.

The theme continued into 1966, including a newspaper and magaziine advertisement with a photograph of a young girl standing behind strands of barbed wire. The caption read: "She can't come to you for the truth but you can reach her."  The text began with: "The truth can become a precious thing to a young mind in a closed country." The advertisement continued with a letter from a "young woman" in "Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia:

            Dear Friends.

I began listening to your broadcasts when I was a small child.

Today I am 22.

And for most of what I know about the world, I have to thank Radio Free Europe.

The text concluded with, “Radio Free Europe gets the truth through ... And because of it, a great many young, and older people alike, have a great many reasons to go on living. The Iron Curtain isn't soundproof.”

A 1965 one-minute television advertisement for Radio Free Europe was entitled "The Iron Curtain isn't Soundproof" and can be viewed below: