[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4898 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4898

   To establish the Office of Press Freedom, to create press freedom 
  curriculum at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 26, 2023

  Mr. Allred (for himself and Mr. Connolly) introduced the following 
      bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To establish the Office of Press Freedom, to create press freedom 
  curriculum at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, 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 ``Global Press Freedom Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Freedom of the press is fundamental to an open and free 
        society and is foundational in the United States democratic 
        system and enshrined in the First Amendment of the United 
        States Constitution, which states (in part) ``Congress shall 
        make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech or of the 
        press . . .''.
            (2) Historically, United States foreign policy has advanced 
        freedom of the press as a central tenet, at home and abroad.
            (3) The United States led the drafting of the Universal 
        Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in Paris on December 10, 
        1948, which enshrines the commitment of countries around the 
        world to protect and promote universal human rights and values 
        that are indispensable for human dignity, including freedom of 
        expression.
            (4) Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
        states, ``Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and 
        expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions 
        without interference and to seek, receive and impart 
        information and ideas through any media and regardless of 
        frontiers.''.
            (5) A free and independent press has long been recognized 
        as an important aspect of the United States' national security 
        and actions taken by foreign governments or organizations that 
        weaken free press protections are a national security threat to 
        the United States.
            (6) International freedom of the press is under renewed 
        and, in some cases, increasing assault, with rhetoric 
        delegitimizing and discrediting the media or journalists, 
        online harassment, physical attacks, gender-based violence, 
        legal campaigns, censorship, and surveillance, all of which 
        threaten the ability of journalists to do their jobs safely, 
        freely, and without fear of reprisal.
            (7) In the past decade, the world has seen a significant 
        deterioration of press freedoms.
            (8) According to Freedom House's ``Freedom in the World'' 
        and ``Freedom on the Net'' reports--
                    (A) the number of countries and territories scoring 
                a zero for media freedom has ballooned from 14 
                countries to 33 countries since 2005; and
                    (B) people in 53 countries faced arrest or 
                imprisonment for expressing themselves online, 
                including online journalists targeted for their 
                reporting;
                    (C) 40 countries blocked websites featuring 
                political, social, or religious content, including many 
                news outlets; and
                    (D) journalists, bloggers, human rights activists, 
                and other people experienced physical violence in 
                retaliation for expressing themselves online in 40 
                countries.
            (9) According to Reporters Without Borders' 2022 World 
        Press Freedom Index--
                    (A) approximately 74 percent of the countries of 
                the world are classified as ``problematic situation'' 
                or worse with respect to journalistic freedom, with a 
                record number of 28 countries receiving a ``very bad'' 
                rating for press freedom situations;
                    (B) approximately 26 percent of the countries of 
                the world have ``satisfactory'' or ``good'' press 
                freedom environments;
                    (C) among the jurisdictions that have recently 
                suffered the largest declines in press freedom are Hong 
                Kong, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine 
                (attributable to Russia's invasion), Georgia, Greece, 
                Nicaragua, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and 
                Mali; and
                    (D) democracies are being weakened by the asymmetry 
                between open societies and despotic regimes that 
                control their media and online platforms, while waging 
                propaganda wars against democracies.
            (10) According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in 
        2022--
                    (A) at least 363 journalists worldwide were in 
                prison, a new record high and a 20 percent increase 
                from the 302 journalists in prison in 2021, with Iran, 
                China, Myanmar, Turkey, and Belarus all ranking among 
                the top 5 jailers of journalists;
                    (B) of the journalists detained--
                            (i) 131 journalists were detained without 
                        charge;
                            (ii) 199 journalists were imprisoned on 
                        anti-state charges; and
                            (iii) 354 detainees were local journalists 
                        covering events in their own countries;
                    (C) at least 67 journalists and media workers were 
                killed, which is the highest number of journalist 
                killings since 2018 and almost a 50 percent increase 
                from the number of journalists killed during 2021;
                    (D) at least 41 journalists and media workers were 
                killed in direct connection with their work; and
                    (E) there was complete impunity in nearly 80 
                percent of the 263 cases of journalists murdered in the 
                last decade, with perpetrators facing no judicial 
                consequences.
            (11) Congress has recognized the importance of freedom of 
        the press by enacting--
                    (A) the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 
                2009 (Public Law 111-166);
                    (B) the Global Magnitsky Human Rights 
                Accountability Act (subtitle F of title XII of Public 
                Law 114-328); and
                    (C) S. Res. 501, 115th Congress (recognizing 
                threats to freedom of the press and expression around 
                the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a 
                priority in efforts of the Government of the United 
                States to promote democracy and good governance).
            (12) The importance of freedom of the press has been 
        recognized by numerous United States presidential 
        administrations that span ideological and party lines, 
        including--
                    (A) a 1786 letter to James Currie, in which 
                Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson wrote ``our liberty 
                depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be 
                limited without being lost.'';
                    (B) an address to Congress on February 6, 1986, in 
                which President Ronald Reagan stated, ``Victories 
                against poverty are greatest and peace most secure 
                where people live by laws that ensure free press, free 
                speech, and freedom to worship, vote, and create 
                wealth'';
                    (C) a statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza 
                Rice on April 11, 2007, stating that ``there is no more 
                important pillar of democracy than a free and active 
                press'';
                    (D) a statement by former Secretary of State 
                Madeline Albright on May 31, 2018, reporting that 
                ``Freedom of the press is a basic aspect of democracy, 
                invented by Americans.''; and
                    (E) a statement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 
                on May 3, 2019, stating, ``A free and independent media 
                is indispensable to a vibrant, functioning democracy. 
                Despite some progress, journalists around the world 
                continue to be persecuted, targeted with violence, or 
                even killed--all too often with impunity.''.
            (13) Protection of a free and open press is not a partisan 
        issue.
            (14) It is imperative that Congress further enshrine the 
        Department of State's role in protecting international press 
        freedom and those engaged in journalism abroad.

SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It shall be the policy of the United States--
            (1) to condemn violations of, and attacks on, press 
        freedoms, and threats to the safety of journalists;
            (2) to promote, and to assist other governments in the 
        promotion of, the importance of a free and open press;
            (3) to support press freedom abroad in all aspects of 
        American foreign policy; and
            (4) to work with foreign governments that affirm and 
        protect press freedom--
                    (A) to develop multilateral initiatives to combat 
                suppression of the free and independent press; and
                    (B) to promote accountability for individuals, 
                governments, and other actors that violate and attack 
                press freedoms and journalists.

SEC. 4. OFFICE OF PRESS FREEDOM; AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR PRESS FREEDOM.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established, within the Department of 
State, the Office of Press Freedom (referred to in this Act as the 
``Office''), which--
            (1) shall be situated in the Bureau of Democracy, Human 
        Rights, and Labor; and
            (2) shall be headed by the Ambassador-at-Large for Press 
        Freedom (referred to in this Act as the ``Ambassador'').
    (b) Appointment.--The Ambassador shall be appointed by the 
President, by and with advice and consent of the Senate, and shall work 
with the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and 
Labor to advise the Secretary of State regarding matters related to 
press freedom.
    (c) Duties.--The Ambassador shall have the following duties:
            (1) General responsibilities.--Notwithstanding the active 
        role carried out by local United States Ambassadors in the 
        monitoring of press freedom violations in their host countries, 
        the Ambassador shall have the primary responsibility--
                    (A) to advance the protection and well-being of 
                members of the United States and foreign press abroad;
                    (B) to denounce violations of press freedom or 
                freedom of expression by foreign governments or other 
                actors; and
                    (C) to engage with foreign governments and press 
                freedom organizations around the world concerning press 
                freedom and freedom of expression.
            (2) Specific tasks.--The Ambassador, with the assistance of 
        the Office and in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of 
        State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and in 
        fulfillment of the responsibilities described in paragraph (1), 
        shall--
                    (A) coordinate efforts between relevant United 
                States embassy personnel and press organizations or 
                threatened individuals in situations in which freedom 
                of the press is threatened abroad;
                    (B) publicly and privately denounce oppression of 
                the press abroad;
                    (C) represent the United States in issues 
                concerning press freedom in diplomatic engagement with 
                foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, 
                the United Nations, and other international 
                organizations in which the United States is a member;
                    (D) recommend appropriate responses by the United 
                States Government when press freedoms are infringed 
                upon; and
                    (E) provide Congress and the public with a regular 
                report describing the successes and enduring challenges 
                of the Office, based on metrics that the Office shall 
                develop.
            (3) Advisory role.--The Ambassador--
                    (A) shall be a principal advisor to the President 
                and to the Secretary of State regarding matters 
                affecting press freedom abroad; and
                    (B) shall make recommendations regarding the 
                policies of the United States Government towards 
                governments or other organizations or individuals 
                that--
                            (i) violate press freedoms; or
                            (ii) fail to ensure the protection of 
                        members of the press.
            (4) Reporting responsibilities.--The Ambassador shall--
                    (A) work with the staff of the Office to ensure the 
                success of the Office in carrying out its mission--
                            (i) to promote press freedom abroad; and
                            (ii) to protect members of the press in 
                        foreign countries;
                    (B) not later than 1 year after being appointed, 
                ensure that there is a reasonable process for measuring 
                the efficacy of the Office in carrying out the missions 
                described in subparagraph (A);
                    (C) not later than 18 months after being appointed, 
                and annually thereafter--
                            (i) submit a report to Congress that 
                        describes--
                                    (I) the outcomes of the activities 
                                of the Office based on the process 
                                established pursuant to subparagraph 
                                (B); and
                                    (II) the efforts of the National 
                                Foreign Affairs Training Center to 
                                train Foreign Service Officers about 
                                press freedom in accordance with 
                                section 5; and
                            (ii) make a copy of the report submitted 
                        pursuant to clause (i) available to the public; 
                        and
                    (D) oversee the ``Freedom of Expression'' section 
                of each country reviewed in the annual Country Report 
                on Human Rights Practices.
            (5) Funding.--The Secretary of State shall provide the 
        Ambassador with sufficient funds--
                    (A) to hire the staff for the Office to enable the 
                Office to carry out the tasks and responsibilities 
                described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3);
                    (B) to comply with the reporting requirements 
                described in paragraph (4); and
                    (C) for necessary travel to carry out this section.

SEC. 5. PRESS FREEDOM CURRICULUM.

    (a) Development.--The Secretary of State shall ensure that there is 
a press freedom curriculum for the National Foreign Affairs Training 
Center that enables Foreign Service Officers to better understand 
issues of press freedom and the tools that are available to help 
protect journalists and promote freedom of the press norms, including--
            (1) the historic and current issues facing press freedom, 
        including countries of specific concern;
            (2) the Department of State's role in promoting press 
        freedom as an American value, a human rights issue, and a 
        national security imperative;
            (3) ways to incorporate press freedom promotion into other 
        aspects of diplomacy; and
            (4) existing tools to assist journalists in distress and 
        methods for engaging foreign governments and institutions on 
        behalf of individuals engaged in journalistic activity who are 
        at risk of harm.
    (b) Required Study.--Any Foreign Service Officer who is assigned to 
function as a Public Diplomacy Officer, a Political Officer, or a 
Consular Officer at an overseas mission shall--
            (1) complete the study of the curriculum described in 
        subsection (a) not later than 90 days after the first day of 
        such assignment; and
            (2) benefit from knowledge sharing by civil society actors 
        who are at the forefront of the defense and promotion of the 
        freedom of information.

SEC. 6. GAO STUDY ON THE DANIEL PEARL FREEDOM OF THE PRESS ACT OF 2009.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
evaluate the implementation of the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press 
Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-166) by reviewing the Department of State's 
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, prepared in select years and 
for select countries, to examine--
            (1) the process used by the Department for preparing 
        information regarding the freedom of the press for such reports 
        and the extent to which such process changed after the date of 
        the enactment of such Act;
            (2) the extent to which the Department of State followed 
        the process referred to in paragraph (1) in preparing 
        information regarding freedom of the press that was included in 
        its most recently published Country Reports on Human Rights 
        Practices;
            (3) any challenges encountered by the Department of State 
        in collecting, corroborating, and reporting the information 
        described in sections 116(d)(12) and 502B(i) of the Foreign 
        Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d)(12) and 2304(i)), as 
        added by the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act of 2009; and
            (4) the extent to which the Department of State measures 
        the impact of its reports on freedom of the press on foreign 
        governments' behaviors or practices.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress 
and to the Secretary of State that--
            (1) summarizes the results of the study required under 
        subsection (a); and
            (2) provides recommendations for any legislative or 
        regulatory action that would improve the efforts of the 
        Department of State to report on issues of press freedom 
        abroad.
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