If we were in Berlin right now, maybe we'd be tuned in to DT-64. Much like WCBN, this is the radio station for the discriminating listener. It offers unconventional programming and a critical political voice. DT-64 serves up world music (akin to our very own African Rhythms) and sound collage, three things going on at once (tune in to any show by Ed Special). So it seems natural that WCBN Radio Free Ann Arbor listeners should be interested in learning about DT-64 East Germany.

DT-64 was formed in the era of the now-defunct GDR (German Democratic Republic), the communist East German government. The creation of DT-64 was a symbolic gesture bonding East and West German youth--an early form of Glasnost. DT stands for Deutsches Treffen which means "Germany meeting" when loosely translated into English. 64 is the year the station was founded. In reality, the station was formed to draw the GDR youth away from western radio (Beatlemania and the British Invasion) which was rapidly growing in popularity.

For most of it s 29 years, DT-64 has been nothing more than a mouthpiece for the party line of GDR. But the last four years have been incredible. In 1989, with the fall of communism imminent, DT-64 grew more bold. They began to forecast and then broadcast the fall of the German communist regime. The programming grew more radical. For the first time, listeners were able to hear music which had long been considered forbidden. This included political music, western pop and rhythms of other cultures. Its listening audience was also privy to uncensored news reports of the political upheaval unfolding around them. DT-64 became a symbol of change, and a truly free radio station on the dial, east or west.

In February of 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, and East and West Germany were united. DT-64 grew in popularity with both Eastern and Western listeners, embodying this new found freedom in its programming.

Ironically, DT-64's problems began with their new found freedom and the unification. The German government called for the close of the station within a year. Critics said that DT-64 was a troublesome station that no one listened to. They justified this with the German Reunification Contract which contains an article calling for the close of all East German radio and TV stations. After the fall of communism, the new regime tried to get rid of everything that was East. The tendency was to ignore anything positive that grew out of communism. DT-64 was a constant reminder that anything associated with the East was viewed as bad. One day, DT-64 was simply switched off without any warning.

By this time, DT-64 with its motto, Power, from the East Side, was more popular than the West German radio stations. The listeners quickly organized large protests. As a result, the station was turned back on within a few hours. Officials in the West German public broadcasting company called DT-64 the communist radio station. The wall remained in their heads.

The Network of the Friends of DT-64 was formed in 1991. DT-64 transported their transmitter to the Brandenburg Gate in the center of Berlin. They held a large demonstration which was broadcast all over Germany. Benefit concerts were held to protest the shut-off dates. 400,000 signatures were gathered in support of DT-64. Still the government claimed that no one listened. In fact the mayor of Berlin said that he couldn't support DT-64, proclaiming that no one cared about this station (in spite of its 400,000 supporters). The protests continued amongst threats that a termination date loomed in DT-64's near future.

DT-64 s FM frequencies were taken away from them in June of 1992, and they were given AM frequencies instead. This change in status was not all bad for DT-64. The radio station began receiving support mail from countries all over Europe. The AM frequencies cover more ground than their FM. Even with their growth in popularity, the government has still issued threats to shut the station down.

I do not know if I am writing the obituary of DT64. Its last deadline was January 13, 1993 and we have not heard any news yet. If you would like to show support for DT-64 write to:

back to Program Guide Article index