PUBLIC LAW 113–96—APR. 3, 2014 

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL 

PROGRAMMING TO UKRAINE AND 

NEIGHBORING REGIONS 


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128 STAT. 1098 PUBLIC LAW 113–96—APR. 3, 2014 

Public Law 113–96 

113th Congress 

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. 

22 USC 6211 

note. 

Apr. 3, 2014 

[S. 2183] 


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PUBLIC LAW 113–96—APR. 3, 2014 128 STAT. 1099 

(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 Internetbased 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 


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128 STAT. 1100 PUBLIC LAW 113–96—APR. 3, 2014 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2183: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014): 

Mar. 27, considered and passed Senate. 

Apr. 1, considered and passed House. 

Æ 

Relations and Appropriations of the Senate a detailed report on 

plans to increase broadcasts pursuant to subsections (a) and (b). 

Approved April 3, 2014. 


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