Osa Archivum Catalog

HU OSA 298 Records of the Free Europe Committee

Reference Code: HU OSA 298
Title: Records of the Free Europe Committee
Date(s): 1949 - 1976
Description Level: Fonds
Extent and medium (processed): 10 Rolls of 16 mm microfilm in microfilm cabinet, 0.23 linear meters
29 Archival boxes, 3.62 linear meters

Name of creator(s): Free Europe Committee, Inc
Archival history: Records were deposited at the Hoover Institution Archives by RFE/RL Inc., they were copied in 2014 for the Blinken Open Society Archives. OSA digitized the microfilm reels in 2015.

Scope and Content (Abstract): The current set of records contains three types of media: microfilm and digital copies of executive, engineering, administrative records, and additionally, hard copy publications of the Free Europe Press.

The Free Europe Committee (including Radio Free Europe) Administrative Files, more precisely Security and Personnel files, are organized in alphabetical order on microfilm, from 1950s-1970s. Some Accounting Files are also appear on the microfilms. For the early 1950s, there are sporadic RFE and FEC/FEUE employment applications (student applications in the case of FEUE). It is unclear as to whether or not these student/employment application records were kept for all applicants or accepted applicants only. Under the Executive Correspondence of the President's Office, the microfilmed cover letters often lack an attachment and we have no evidence if these documents were destroyed. The most valuable and complete set of records are the Encrypted Telecommunication Messages between FEC and RFE offices in NY and Munich, dating from the 1950s to the 1970s. The engineering and other communication related reports are of special value, as they shed light on the rarely researched technical infrastructure of the broadcasting network.
Accruals: Expected

Conditions governing access: Special restriction rules apply only on Administrative Files.
Conditions governing reproduction: Ownership of and financial copyrights to the reports belong to RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20036, USA. Users of RFE/RL content cannot alter the meaning, name or integrity of the content. RFE/RL reserves the right to revoke permission for use of its content at any time. The sale of RFE/RL content is strictly prohibited.
Languages: Croatian, English, German, Polish, Serbian, Slovenian
Physical characteristics and technical requirements: The majority of the collection is in the digital format while some series are printed publications.

Note: The collection descriptions and finding aid are constantly updated to reflect the content of the incoming materials. Since the baseline research about FEC's role and functions is still in progress, and we only own a fragmented part of the overall legacy, we do maintain our right to revise our current descriptions.