Broadcast Security Act

Liberty
1

Broadcast Security Act

Purpose:
To ensure fairness in political representation, prohibit the dissemination of government-originated propaganda, and prevent undue government influence over information dissemination in the United States.

Title I: Equal Airtime for Political Candidates

Section 1: Equal Airtime Mandate

  1. All FCC-licensed broadcast entities, including news agencies, entertainment shows, comedy programs, and opinion media, are required to provide equal airtime to all legally registered candidates for public office during election cycles.
  2. Equal airtime shall include:
  • Interviews or appearances by candidates.
  • Coverage of policies, campaigns, or related political activities.
  • Opportunities for candidates to respond to criticism or commentary aired by the entity.

Section 2: Enforcement and Penalties

  1. FCC-licensed entities failing to comply with the Equal Airtime Mandate will face penalties, including fines, suspension of licenses, or revocation for repeated violations.
  2. Candidates denied equal airtime may file a complaint with the FCC for expedited investigation and resolution.

Title II: Prohibition of Government-Originated Propaganda

Section 1: Definition of Government-Originated Propaganda

  1. Propaganda is defined as any content, message, or communication created, funded, or promoted by a government entity or in collusion with government sources, designed to mislead or manipulate public opinion.

Section 2: Prohibition and Felony Classification

  1. The broadcast, publication, or dissemination of government-originated propaganda by any media organization or platform is classified as a federal felony.
  2. This includes direct or indirect collusion with government sources to misrepresent facts or create deceptive narratives.

Section 3: Exceptions and Disclosures

  1. Government public service announcements or factual information intended for public welfare (e.g., weather warnings, health advisories) are exempt if clearly labeled as such.
  2. All government-produced content must include a disclaimer explicitly identifying its source and purpose.

Title III: Prevention of Government Undue Influence Over Information Dissemination

Section 1: Definition of Undue Influence

  1. Undue influence includes any attempt by a government entity or official to:
  • Censor, suppress, or alter information or opinions.
  • Directly or indirectly pressure private entities, including internet platforms, broadcasters, or publishers, to shape content.

Section 2: Prohibition and Accountability

  1. Any government official or agency engaging in undue influence over the dissemination of information shall be guilty of a felony.
  2. Penalties for violations include imprisonment, fines, and disqualification from holding public office.

Section 3: Protection of Media Independence

  1. Federal agencies and officials are prohibited from providing directives, incentives, or threats to influence editorial decisions of any media entity, platform, or publisher.
  2. Independent oversight committees will be established to review allegations of government interference in media or online platforms.

Title IV: Implementation and Oversight

Section 1: Effective Date

  1. This Act shall take effect within 180 days of its passage and signature into law.

Section 2: Oversight Body

  1. A bipartisan Media Integrity and Security Commission (MISC) will oversee the enforcement of this Act.
  2. MISC will investigate complaints, impose penalties, and issue annual reports to Congress on the state of media independence and compliance with this Act.

Section 3: Whistleblower Protections

  1. Whistleblowers exposing violations of this Act will be protected under federal whistleblower statutes and eligible for financial rewards for confirmed violations.

Title V: Penalties for Noncompliance

Section 1: Criminal Penalties

  1. Violators of this Act face federal felony charges with penalties including:
  • Imprisonment up to 20 years for knowingly broadcasting propaganda or engaging in undue influence.
  • Fines ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 per offense.

Section 2: Civil Penalties

  1. Media organizations or platforms in violation may face lawsuits from affected parties and may be ordered to pay damages, including punitive damages, to harmed individuals or candidates.