Anne Applebaum is right.

I remember stories from my father as well as my uncle how much they appreciated the fact that they were able to listen in their Youth to RIAS and similar broadcasts behind the iron curtain. They listened out of curiosity for real news. But of course also out of love for music that was not part of the state sponsored culture framed after the last line by some committee of the ruling Stalinist party. This also explains Havels (a great John Lennon fan) enthusiasm for RFE.

This was an live enriching experience that allowed many people to think independently from the propaganda of the people in power (even if they still believed it was US propaganda, the fact that it was different was enough for them, and the music was just better and more authentic). For that they changed their whole room into an antennae with wires on the walls.

Yes, RFE must go on, it is in the self interest of the US to be serious about its commitment to democracy in the world. Otherwise it will have to fight much more dictatorships in the future.