“To repeal the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013 and to prohibit domestic propagandization by the Federal Government.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section replaces Section 501 of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1461), which authorizes public diplomacy information programs abroad (i.e., preparation and dissemination of information about the United States, its people, and policies to foreign audiences), with new provisions that (1) retain authorization for the Secretary of State and USAGM Chief Executive Officer to disseminate such information abroad via press, publications, radio, motion pictures, the internet, information centers, and instructors but prohibit social media accounts, websites, or podcasts except official Department of State or USAGM platforms for foreign audiences; (2) require such materials to be made available upon request in English for examination (but not dissemination) within the United States by U.S. press representatives and Members of Congress, with Members permitted to use them only for official oversight and no funds usable to influence U.S. public opinion or propagandize domestically; (3) direct the Secretary and USAGM to provide materials to the Archivist of the United States for custody, with public access limited to viewing (no reproduction or redistribution) beginning 20 years after initial foreign dissemination or preparation (if undisseminated; previously 12 years for pre-2013 materials), requiring disclaimers identifying the producing entity, target foreign country or region, and production purpose or program; and (4) designate the Archivist to issue regulations on access, require rights/licenses and cost-recovery fees for any release, and deposit fees into the National Archives Trust Fund. (Thus, the revisions effectively repeal Smith-Mundt Modernization Act provisions allowing broader domestic availability upon reimbursement.) This section also replaces Section 208 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 (22 U.S.C. 1461-1a) to prohibit Department of State or USAGM funds from influencing U.S. public opinion or distributing USAGM program material domestically except as provided in revised 22 U.S.C. 1461, with exceptions for factual information on operations provided to media, the public, or Congress; includes a rule of construction exempting Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act programs and USAGM responses to public inquiries; and makes a conforming change to the table of contents.