Shanor Donald. Behind the Lines. The Private War with Soviet Censorship

New York: St. Martin's Press, 1985. — 194 p. — ISBN: 0-312-07265-1The government of the Soviet Union is well known for cover-ups, human rights violations, and outright lies — but how much do the Soviet people know, and where do they get their information? Drawing on over 150 interviews with Russians and Russian émigrés, veteran journalist Donald Shanor reveals the hidden story — of governmental repression of artists and journalists; of the widespread following enjoyed by foreign broadcasts despite the government’s constant attempts to jam their reception; of the Underground Telegraph and Dissident Network through which news reaches much of the Soviet citizenry — free from official constraints. In fascinating detail, Shanor explores the workings of the Soviet Union’s complex system of media control and the Soviet citizens’ often creative ways of circumventing that control. He concludes with hopeful speculation on the changes that the new computer and communication technologies may ultimately force on the Soviet government and its people’s way of life. Donald Shanor has written an absorbing, perceptive account of the sources of information — official and unofficial — in the Soviet Union. Behind the Lines is essential reading for anyone, political expert or layman, interested in the workings of the largest country on earth, and that country’s place in the world community.The University of the Millions
The Grand Illusion
"A Unique Soviet Form of Public Opinion"
The Underground Telegraph
The Dissident Network
The Voices of America
The Borscht Pot Antenna