1 week ago
Bipartisan US Bill Targets Foreign-Paid Social-Media Influencers
A group of US lawmakers wants new rules for influencers paid by foreign interests.
Their bill is called the Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act.
It would use an existing law called FARA to require certain influencers to register and disclose who they work for.
The bill would not label every person with a monetised account as a foreign agent.
It would apply when an influencer acts for a foreign government or another foreign principal in activities covered by FARA.
Supporters say people should know when online voices are secretly connected to foreign interests.
They believe this could make online political discussions more transparent.
The lawmakers have not said which influencers or foreign governments would be affected.
Four bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act.
The bill would add qualifying monetised influencers to the Foreign Agents Registration Act’s publicity-agent definition.
Registration would apply to influencers acting for foreign governments or other foreign principals under circumstances covered by FARA.
Supporters say the measure would expose undisclosed foreign-backed influence and disinformation campaigns.
The lawmakers did not identify affected influencers or foreign governments, or estimate the bill’s potential scope.
- Who
- Republican Representatives Anna Paulina Luna, Derrick Van Orden and Democratic Representatives Vicente Gonzalez and Jared Moskowitz introduced the bill.
- What
- The Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act would require qualifying social-media influencers working for foreign interests to register under FARA.
- Where
- The legislation was introduced in Washington, United States.
- When
- The articles do not provide a specific introduction date.
- Why
- Supporters say it would increase transparency and help counter undisclosed foreign influence, disinformation and psychological operations online.
Key facts
- Bill
- Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act
- Existing law
- Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA
- Covered accounts
- Monetised social-media accounts acting on behalf of foreign governments or other foreign principals in circumstances covered by FARA
- Proposed legal change
- Add social-media influencers to FARA’s definition of a publicity agent
- Sponsors
- Anna Paulina Luna, Vicente Gonzalez, Jared Moskowitz and Derrick Van Orden
- Scope disclosed
- No specific influencers, foreign governments or estimated number of affected accounts were identified
- FARA history
- The law was enacted in 1938 amid concern about foreign propaganda in the United States
Quotes
Anna Paulina Luna
Republican US representative from Florida and bill sponsor
“Federal law must adapt to an ever-changing digital media landscape, especially as more Americans turn to social media for news consumption and public discourse.”
thehansindia.com
“There is a big difference between having an organic opinion and secretly acting on behalf of foreign interests to push propaganda to Americans.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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