Stalin and Podzemí
Stalin and Podzemí

Pirate Radio Stations in Post-Socialist Czechoslovakia (1989–1991)

Summary/Abstract: The fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989 paved the way for a market economy, which, however, did not initially have a clear legislative framework. This is when the first “pirate radio stations” emerged, mostly broadcasting Anglo-American popular music and rock. The early 1990s gave rise to hundreds of such stations. This paper focuses on two renowned Czech pirate radio stations from this period: Stalin and Podzemí (“Under- ground”). Following an analysis of the literature, periodicals, and eyewitness accounts, the paper describes the circumstances in which these stations emerged and their subsequent existence, while focusing on musical dramaturgy, the public response to illegal broadcast- ing, and the impact of these stations on legislation.

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