[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4454 Introduced in House (IH)]
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4454
To authorize appropriations to expand and enhance United States
international broadcasting operations around the world, specifically
enhancing the depth and scope of programming throughout the People's
Republic of China.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 15, 2000
Mr. Porter (for himself and Mr. Bereuter) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize appropriations to expand and enhance United States
international broadcasting operations around the world, specifically
enhancing the depth and scope of programming throughout the People's
Republic of China.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) A fundamental prerequisite to political and economic
freedom is an informed citizenry. In many countries around the
world basic freedoms are denied, including access to
information. One of the best and most cost-effective ways to
help enhance the respect for human rights abroad is to
disseminate reliable information that serves to foster the
spirit of democracy in closed societies. By doing so, not only
is the United States interest served by helping to spread
democracy, but democratic activists are also empowered to
challenge the status quo.
(2) Currently, United States international broadcasting
broadcasts in 61 languages around the world.
(3) Research shows that for international broadcasting to
reach the greatest number of people, enhanced marketing must
take place. Marketing which will allow the potential audience
to find the programming on the appropriate frequency, channel,
or web site needs to be enhanced. Marketing efforts abroad for
placement on local affiliate networks need to be developed. The
base of international broadcasting audiences must continue to
be broadened to recruit new listeners, and, particularly, to
target the younger generation.
(4) When crises arise around the world, such as the Kosova
crisis in 1999, United States international broadcasting has no
means to respond to such crises in a timely manner. Currently,
budget resources are shifted internally, pulling resources away
from others sources.
(5) Both Radio Free Asia and the Voice of America, as a
surrogate for a free press in the People's Republic of China,
provide an invaluable source of uncensored information to the
Chinese people, including objective and authoritative news of
in-country and regional events, as well as accurate news about
the United States and its policies.
(6) Radio Free Asia currently broadcasts 24-hours a day in
China, with 12 hours in Mandarin, 8 hours in Tibetan, 3 hours
in Cantonese and 1 hour in Uygur.
(7) According to a 1990 census, 4.8 million Mongolians live
in China, and there is no service in their native language
available.
(8) Radio Free Asia's ``call in listen'' programs reported
an average of over 27,200 calls per month, for the months in
the beginning of 2000. However, less than 2 percent of those
callers were able to reach Radio Free Asia and voice their
opinion.
(9) Voice of America currently broadcasts 84 hours per week
in Mandarin, 28 hours per week in Tibetan and 14 hours per week
in Cantonese. Voice of America's Mandarin TV service includes
1-hour programming, five days a week.
(10) Currently neither RFA nor VOA have a news bureau in
Taipei or Shanghai.
(11) Signals of all United States international
broadcasting programs often have difficulty being received due
to widespread jamming practices of oppressive government
regimes. If stronger frequencies are used or if the
broadcastings can come from various angles, the reception will
be increased in the targeted areas.
(12) The Internet is the critical future of the development
and exchange of ideas throughout the world. The same jamming
problem exists for the web sites. Mirror sites must be set up
to ensure that the Internet is accessible to as many people as
possible.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Broadcasting Capitol Improvements.--In addition to such sums as
may otherwise be authorized to be appropriated, there are authorized to
be appropriated for ``Department of State and Related Agency, Related
Agency, Broadcasting Board of Governors, Broadcasting Capitol
Improvements'' $65,000,000 for the fiscal year 2001 which is authorized
to remain available until expended.
(b) International Broadcasting Operations.--
(1) In addition to such sums as are otherwise authorized to
be appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated
$34,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2000 and 2001 for
``Department of State and Related Agency, Related Agency,
Broadcasting Board of Governors, International Broadcasting
Operations'' for the purposes under paragraph (2).
(2) In addition to other authorized purposes, funds
appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be used for the
following:
(A) To increase personnel for the Program
Development Office to enhance marketing programming.
(B) To strengthen Radio Free Asia's presence in
Asia including expanding news research, production,
expansion of call-in shows capability and website/
Internet enhancement.
(C) VOA enhancements, including the opening of four
new news bureaus in Asia, enhancement of TV Mandarin,
and an increase of stringer presence abroad.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
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