A bill entitled "United States International Programming to Ukraine and Neighboring Regions".

Bill: 113-s-2183
Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2014-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Europe
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Moldova
News media and reporting
Public-private cooperation
Rule of law and government transparency
Russia
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Telephone and wireless communication
Ukraine

Summary:
action_date: 2014-03-27
text: 
Directs Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Incorporated, and the Voice of America (VOA) service to Ukraine and neighboring regions to: (1) provide accurate and accessible news and information; (2) emphasize investigative and analytical journalism to highlight misinformation provided by Russian or pro-Russian media outlets; (3) prioritize programming to target populations and areas where access to uncensored information is limited, 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, human rights, freedom of the press, and territorial sovereignty; (6) increase programming and content services to Russia; (7) partner with private sector broadcasters and affiliates to increase distribution; (8) expand the use and audience of mobile news and multimedia platforms, including through Internet-based social networking platforms; and (9) provide programming content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to target populations, including specified programming in Ukrainian, Russian, and Tatar languages.
 
Authorizes FY2014 appropriations for programming in the Ukrainian, Balkan, Russian, and Tatar language services of RFE/RL, Incorporated, and VOA.
 
 Requires the Broadcasting Board of Governors to report to Congress on plans to increase broadcasts.

action_date: 2014-03-27
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 
 
 Directs Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Incorporated, and the Voice of America (VOA) service to Ukraine and neighboring regions to: (1) provide accurate and accessible news and information; (2) emphasize investigative and analytical journalism to highlight misinformation provided by Russian or pro-Russian media outlets; (3) prioritize programming to target populations and areas where access to uncensored information is limited, 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, human rights, freedom of the press, and territorial sovereignty; (6) increase programming and content services that promote democracy to Russia; (7) prioritize programming to eastern Ukraine, including Crimea, and Moldova, and to ethnic and linguistic Russian populations, as well as to Tatar minorities; (8) prioritize news and information that contribute to the target audiences' understanding of political and economic developments in Ukraine and Moldova; (9) partner with private sector broadcasters and affiliates to increase distribution; (10) expand the use and audience of mobile news and multimedia platforms, including through Internet-based social networking platforms; and (11) provide programming content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to target populations, including specified programming in Ukrainian, Russian, and Tatar languages. 
 Authorizes FY2014 appropriations for programming in the Ukrainian, Balkan, Russian, and Tatar language services of RFE/RL, Incorporated, and VOA to: (1) bolster programming to the people of Ukraine and neighboring regions, and (2) increase programming capacity and jamming circumvention technology. 
Requires the Broadcasting Board of Governors to report to Congress on plans to increase broadcasts.
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on March 27, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Directs Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Incorporated, and the Voice of America (VOA) service to Ukraine and neighboring regions to: (1) provide accurate and accessible news and information; (2) emphasize investigative and analytical journalism to highlight misinformation provided by Russian or pro-Russian media outlets; (3) prioritize programming to target populations and areas where access to uncensored information is limited, 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, human rights, freedom of the press, and territorial sovereignty; (6) increase programming and content services that promote democracy to Russia; (7) prioritize programming to eastern Ukraine, including Crimea, and Moldova, and to ethnic and linguistic Russian populations, as well as to Tatar minorities; (8) prioritize news and information that contribute to the target audiences' understanding of political and economic developments in Ukraine and Moldova; (9) partner with private sector broadcasters and affiliates to increase distribution; (10) expand the use and audience of mobile news and multimedia platforms, including through Internet-based social networking platforms; and (11) provide programming content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to target populations, including specified programming in Ukrainian, Russian, and Tatar languages. 
 Authorizes FY2014 appropriations for programming in the Ukrainian, Balkan, Russian, and Tatar language services of RFE/RL, Incorporated, and VOA to: (1) bolster programming to the people of Ukraine and neighboring regions, and (2) increase programming capacity and jamming circumvention technology. 
Requires the Broadcasting Board of Governors to report to Congress on plans to increase broadcasts.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

 
Directs Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Incorporated, and the Voice of America (VOA) service to Ukraine and neighboring regions to: (1) provide accurate and accessible news and information; (2) emphasize investigative and analytical journalism to highlight misinformation provided by Russian or pro-Russian media outlets; (3) prioritize programming to target populations and areas where access to uncensored information is limited, 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, human rights, freedom of the press, and territorial sovereignty; (6) increase programming and content services that promote democracy to Russia; (7) prioritize programming to eastern Ukraine, including Crimea, and Moldova, and to ethnic and linguistic Russian populations, as well as to Tatar minorities; (8) prioritize news and information that contribute to the target audiences' understanding of political and economic developments in Ukraine and Moldova; (9) partner with private sector broadcasters and affiliates to increase distribution; (10) expand the use and audience of mobile news and multimedia platforms, including through Internet-based social networking platforms; and (11) provide programming content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to target populations, including specified programming in Ukrainian, Russian, and Tatar languages. 
 Authorizes FY2014 appropriations for programming in the Ukrainian, Balkan, Russian, and Tatar language services of RFE/RL, Incorporated, and VOA to: (1) bolster programming to the people of Ukraine and neighboring regions, and (2) increase programming capacity and jamming circumvention technology. 
Requires the Broadcasting Board of Governors to report to Congress on plans to increase broadcasts.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Became Public Law No: 113-96.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Became Public Law No: 113-96.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 12 (Roll no. 150). (text: CR H2756-2757)
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 12 (Roll no. 150).(text: CR H2756-2757)
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2785-2786)
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2183.
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2756-2759)
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2014-04-01
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2014-03-27
text: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1834-1835; text as passed Senate: CR S1834-1835; text of measure as introduced: CR S1830)
action_date: 2014-03-27
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1834-1835; text as passed Senate: CR S1834-1835; text of measure as introduced: CR S1830)
action_date: 2014-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 113-96