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Legislation
Facts About Smith-Mundt Modernization
The U.S. Agency for Global Media and the media organizations that it supports can now make their content available in broadcast quality upon request within the United States. This is due to a law that went into effect on July 2, 2013, amending the U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, known as the Smith-Mundt Act. Amending Smith-Mundt for this purpose was part of the strategic plan adopted in 2011 by the governing board overseeing the then BBG.
Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) and Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), co-sponsored the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act, which was introduced in 2010 and made part of a larger piece of legislation in 2012.
The new law will let people across America see and hear the valuable news reported by the Agency’s accomplished journalists. It takes into account modern content platforms that are not restricted by national boundaries, such as the Internet, mobile delivery and satellite broadcasting.
The modernization of Smith-Mundt will facilitate global connectivity and audience engagement and will provide greater transparency into publicly-funded broadcasting.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the new law.
- Can USAGM focus its broadcasting on the United States?
- So what does the new law allow that wasn’t allowed before?
- How can these materials be requested?
- Wasn’t this content already available in the United States via the Internet or other means, and isn’t it still available without having to be requested?
- Do you intend to target your programming to émigré communities in this country?
- Is this an attempt to influence or propagandize US citizens?
- But won’t the Defense Department now be at liberty to spread propaganda in the United States thanks to this new legislation?
- What guarantees that USAGM content is balanced and accurate?
Q. Can the USAGM focus its broadcasting on the United States?
A. No. There has been no change to the Agency’s enabling statute, the U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994, which authorizes the agency to create programs for foreign audiences. The Agency is not authorized to begin broadcasting or to create programming for audiences in the United States. We do not seek to change that. USAGM continues to focus on overseas audiences.
Q. So what does the new law allow that wasn’t allowed before?
A. The new legislation eases Smith-Mundt restrictions and allows the agency and its broadcasters to respond positively to requests from within the United States for their content. Much, but not all, of this programming is now available online. Additionally, the Agency can consider domestic requests for ongoing subscriptions if doing so falls within the agency’s mission and other statutory authorities.
Q. How can these materials be requested?
A: Requests for use of program content should be made through individual broadcasters. Please see this page for information.
Q. Wasn’t this content already available in the United States via the internet or other means, and isn’t it still available without having to be requested?
A. It is true that some, but not all, of our broadcasters’ content has been and will continue to be accessible on the Internet, via shortwave radio (depending on signal quality and availability) or on TV outlets where the international footprint for our programs is accessible in this country. However, that makes up only a fraction of the content created by our broadcasters each year. Now our broadcasters can make this material available upon request in broadcast quality. Requesters are obliged to secure U.S. broadcast rights and permissions for any third-party copyrighted content that may be contained in USAGM programming.
Q. Do you intend to target your programming to émigré communities in this country?
A. No. Existing law does not allow the Agency to create programs for audiences in the United States, nor do we seek to do that. But the new law does allow interested U.S. residents to access USAGM content, upon request. Historically, organizations operating internationally and representatives of émigré communities – some from areas in conflict — have sought out this reliable news of their home countries and in their native languages.
The modernization of Smith-Mundt will facilitate global connectivity and audience engagement and will provide greater transparency into publicly-funded broadcasting.
Q. Is this an attempt to influence or propagandize US citizens?
A. No. Our journalists must abide by legally mandated broadcasting standards and principles to present accurate and objective news and information. They do so in 64 languages for audiences in more than 100 countries countries where it is often difficult or impossible to receive locally-produced, uncensored or unbiased programs. They provide responsible discussion and open debate in places where it is rare in the media. To call these efforts “propaganda” is an affront to those journalists, many of whom work in some of the roughest spots in the world, putting themselves and their loved ones at great risk.
Q. But won’t the Defense Department now be at liberty to spread propaganda in the United States thanks to this new legislation?
A. No. The U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 does not apply to the Defense Department, and neither do the subsequent amendments.
Q. What guarantees that content from USAGM is balanced and accurate?
A. USAGM networks are legally mandated to present accurate and objective news and information. The mission statements of our networks reinforce the commitment to high-quality journalism and serving as a model of free press. All of the networks — Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV & Radio Sawa) — are considered vital, objective news sources and are frequently cited by major media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Miami Herald, and CNN, for their high-quality reporting. This is testament to the quality and range of reporting that our journalists produce.