New York, NY, January 31...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today presented information to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which documents how extremists use international shortwave radio frequencies to target U.S. audiences, possibly in violation of an FCC regulation. Poisoning the Airwaves: The Extremist Message of Hate on Shortwave Radio, details how militia leaders and right-wing extremists exploit the shortwave airways to promote their anti-government, conspiracy-driven, racist and anti-Semitic agenda.

"Purveyors of anti-Semitism and racism have appropriated shortwave radio as a major communications tool to disseminate their messages of hate," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "The potential reach and danger of extremists clogging the airways should not be minimized. The tragedy in Oklahoma City showed us that there are violent elements who act out their enmity in an atmosphere created by the hate rhetoric of some radio hosts," Mr. Foxman added. "The American people need to be able to distinguish between legitimate commentary and hateful hot air."

In his letter to FCC Chairman Reed E. Hunt, Mr. Foxman said, "some of the shortwave radio stations over which you have regulatory jurisdiction may be broadcasting to domestic listening audiences in apparent violation of section 47CFR section 73.701(a)...Even though these stations would likely assert that their broadcasts have an international audience, the content of these radio shows makes this a transparent argument." Mr. Foxman asked Chairman Hunt to conduct an investigation into ADL's findings.

Poisoning the Airwaves, identifies who uses shortwave radio to promote hate and the stations that air them. Among those cited are:

William Pierce, leader of the neo-Nazi National Alliance and author of the infamous racist novel The Turner Diaries, featured on WRNO Worldwide, based in New Orleans.

Ernst Zundel, Holocaust denier and anti-Semitic propagandist who broadcasts "Voice of Freedom" in English on WRNO and in German on WWCR (World Wide Christian Radio).

Pastor Pete Peters, a leading figure in the bigoted pseudo-religious "Christian Identity" movement, preaches anti-Semitism on his show, "Truth for the Times," on WRNO and WWCR.

Col. Bo Gritz, a prominent figure in the anti-government "Patriot" movement, whose program "Freedom Calls" airs on WWCR (World Wide Christian Radio) based in Nashville.

Mark Koernke, a prominent figure in the anti-government militia movement, whose program, "Intelligence Report," airs on WWCR, based in Nashville.

The 23 page report is a "who's who" of right-wing extremists on shortwave radio and provides quotes from their broadcasts, as well as information on their ideologies and activities.

Editors Note: The report is available online on NEXIS, search code USNWR, and from the ADL Media Relations Department.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.