[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2183 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2183
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
United States international programming to Ukraine and neighboring
regions.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.
(a) Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) The Russian Government has deliberately blocked the
Ukrainian people's access to uncensored sources of information
and has provided alternative news and information that is both
inaccurate and inflammatory;
(2) United States international programming exists to
advance the United States interests and values by presenting
accurate and comprehensive news and information, which is the
foundation for democratic governance;
(3) The opinions and views of the Ukrainian people,
especially those people located in the eastern regions and
Crimea, are not being accurately represented in Russian
dominated mass media;
(4) Russian forces have seized more than five television
stations in Crimea and taken over transmissions, switching to a
24/7 Russian propaganda format; this increase in programming
augments the already robust pro-Russian programming to Ukraine;
(5) United States international programming has the
potential to combat this anti-democratic propaganda.
(b) Programming.--Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL),
Incorporated, and the Voice of America service to Ukraine and
neighboring regions shall--
(1) provide news and information that is accessible,
credible, and accurate;
(2) emphasize investigative and analytical journalism to
highlight inconsistencies and misinformation provided by
Russian or pro-Russian media outlets;
(3) prioritize programming to areas where access to
uncensored sources of information is limited or non-existent,
especially populations serviced by Russian supported media
outlets;
(4) increase the number of reporters and organizational
presence in eastern Ukraine, especially in Crimea;
(5) promote democratic processes, respect for human rights,
freedom of the press, and territorial sovereignty; and
(6) take necessary preparatory steps to continue and
increase programming and content that promotes democracy and
government transparency in Russia.
(c) Programming Surge.--RFE/RL, Incorporated, and Voice of America
programming to Ukraine and neighboring regions shall--
(1) prioritize programming to eastern Ukraine, including
Crimea, and Moldova, and to ethnic and linguistic Russian
populations, as well as to Tatar minorities;
(2) prioritize news and information that directly
contributes to the target audiences' understanding of political
and economic developments in Ukraine and Moldova, including
countering misinformation that may originate from other news
outlets, especially Russian supported news outlets;
(3) provide programming content 24 hours a day, seven days
a week to target populations, using all available and effective
distribution outlets, including--
(A) at least 8 weekly hours of total original
television and video content in Ukrainian, Russian, and
Tatar languages, not inclusive of live video streaming
coverage of breaking news, to be distributed on
satellite, digital, and through regional television
affiliates by the Voice of America; and
(B) at least 14 weekly hours the total audio
content in Ukrainian, Russian, and Tatar languages to
be distributed on satellite, digital, and through
regional radio affiliates of RFE/RL, Incorporated;
(4) expand the use, audience, and audience engagement of
mobile news and multimedia platforms by RFE/RL, Incorporated,
and the Voice of America, including through Internet-based
social networking platforms; and
(5) partner with private sector broadcasters and affiliates
to seek and start co-production for new, original content, when
possible, to increase distribution.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 2014, in addition to funds otherwise made
available for such purposes, up to $10,000,000 to carry out programming
in the Ukrainian, Balkan, Russian, and Tatar language services of RFE/
RL, Incorporated, and the Voice of America, for the purpose of
bolstering existing United States programming to the people of Ukraine
and neighboring regions, and increasing programming capacity and
jamming circumvention technology to overcome any disruptions to
service.
(e) Report.--Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall submit to the
Committees on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Committees on Foreign Relations and
Appropriations of the Senate a detailed report on plans to increase
broadcasts pursuant to subsections (a) and (b).
Passed the Senate March 27, 2014.
Attest:
Secretary.
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2183
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
United States international programming to Ukraine and neighboring
regions.