The Transparency in Media Act of 2025

Liberty
1

A Bill

To amend the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to restore prohibitions on domestic dissemination of propaganda intended for foreign audiences, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Section 1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the “Transparency in Media Act of 2025”.

Section 2. Findings Congress finds the following:

  1. The Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 was established to ensure that programs designed for foreign audiences to promote U.S. interests abroad would not be disseminated domestically, thereby protecting U.S. citizens from government propaganda.

  2. The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 inadvertently allowed materials meant for foreign audiences to be accessible within the United States, potentially leading to the domestic dissemination of government-crafted propaganda.

  3. Transparency and trust in media are vital for a functioning democracy, and the domestic dissemination of government-produced content meant for foreign audiences could undermine this trust.

Section 3. Restoration of Original Intent of the Smith-Mundt Act

(a) Repeal of Modernization Provisions - The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 (part of Public Law 112-239) is hereby repealed. The provisions of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 are restored to their original intent, prohibiting the domestic dissemination of materials intended for foreign audiences.

(b) Domestic Access Restriction - No funds authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State or the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall be used to influence public opinion in the United States. This includes any materials produced for foreign dissemination.

Section 4. Implementation

(a) Regulations - Within 180 days of the enactment of this Act, the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall promulgate regulations to ensure compliance with this Act, ensuring that all content intended for foreign broadcast is not disseminated domestically except as originally provided by law.

(b) Public Notification - The aforementioned agencies must inform the public of these changes through official channels, ensuring that citizens are aware of the restored protections against domestic propaganda.

Section 5. Definitions

  • “Propaganda” refers to information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

Section 6. Effective Date This Act shall take effect 90 days after its passage into law.

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