    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    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.

    [[Page 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 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

    [[Page 1100]]

    Relations and Appropriations of the Senate a detailed report on plans to
    increase broadcasts pursuant to subsections (a) and (b).

    Approved April 3, 2014.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2183:
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    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
    Mar. 27, considered and passed Senate.
    Apr. 1, considered and passed House.