| Type | Radio broadcasting |
|---|---|
| Country | East Germany |
| Availability | International |
| Launch date | May 1959 |
| Dissolved | 2 October 1990 |
Radio Berlin International was the international broadcaster for the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). It started in May 1959 to counter Deutsche Welle, the West German international broadcaster. Much of its output was news reports and information about the GDR. It offered a state-sponsored view on life in a socialist country. It distributed large quantities of colorful and professionally produced publicity material about life in the GDR to its listeners. The broadcaster ceased operations on 2 October 1990 just before German reunification. The final broadcast was noted for the bitterness among some RBI staff about its "takeover", rather than "unification" with Deutsche Welle. The last words were, "Take care and good luck."
Radio Berlin International broadcast in many languages, with many of its announcers at the different services — such as English, French and even Danish — coming from their country's respective communist parties. It was one of the major international broadcasters of the Cold War era.