Educating Against Misinformation and Disinformation Act
This bill establishes a commission and requires other activities to support information and media literacy education and to prevent misinformation and disinformation.
Specific duties of the commission include (1) implementing a national strategy to promote information and media literacy; and (2) identifying programs and resources on information and media literacy for use in elementary, secondary, and higher education, and adult education programs. The Department of Education (ED) must assess the effectiveness of the commission in promoting information and media literacy education.
ED must also award competitive grants to nonprofits (including institutions of higher education) to develop educational materials, public awareness campaigns, and other programming to promote information and media literacy and combat misinformation and disinformation. Additionally, ED must conduct a study to evaluate information and media literacy among the American public.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6971 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6971
To establish a commission to promote information and media literacy,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 8, 2022
Mr. Beyer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a commission to promote information and media literacy,
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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Educating Against
Misinformation and Disinformation Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--COMMISSION TO SUPPORT INFORMATION AND MEDIA LITERACY AND
ADDRESS MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION
Sec. 101. Establishment and duties.
Sec. 102. Membership.
Sec. 103. Hearings.
Sec. 104. Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 105. National strategy for information and media literacy and
preventing misinformation and
disinformation.
Sec. 106. Report to Congress.
Sec. 107. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
Sec. 201. Grants to improve the American public's information and media
literacy and resilience to misinformation
and disinformation.
Sec. 202. Study and report on information and media literacy among the
American public.
Sec. 203. Department of Education assessment.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Education and Labor and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives.
(2) ESEA terms.--The terms ``elementary school'', ``local
educational agency'', ``secondary school'', and ``State
educational agency'' have the meanings given those terms in the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801
et seq.).
(3) Information literacy.--The term ``information
literacy'' means the integrated set of skills, knowledge,
practices, and dispositions that prepares individuals to
discover, interpret, and create information ethically while
gaining a critical understanding of how information systems
interact to produce and circulate news, information and
knowledge (including digital information such as website and
social media content).
(4) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(5) Media literacy.--The term ``media literacy'' means the
ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and participate in the
creation and circulation of media messages regardless of
format, including learning the skills and dispositions to seek
out, critically evaluate, and create media messages and
understand the role of media and algorithmic information
systems in society.
(6) Social media.--The term ``social media'' means forms of
interactive, internet-based applications (such as websites for
social networking and microblogging) through which users create
online communities to share information, ideas, personal
messages, and other content (such as videos).
(7) State higher education agency.--The term ``State higher
education agency'' has the meaning given that term in section
103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).
TITLE I--COMMISSION TO SUPPORT INFORMATION AND MEDIA LITERACY AND
ADDRESS MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the ``Commission to Support Information and Media Literacy and
Prevent Misinformation and Disinformation'' (referred to in this Act as
the ``Commission'').
(b) Duties of the Commission.--The duties of the Commission are as
follows:
(1) Identify and assess programs and interdisciplinary
resources relating to information and media literacy in
elementary, secondary, higher education, and adult education
programs, including by--
(A) identifying and assessing programs and other
educational materials made available by the Federal
Government;
(B) developing metrics to report on the status of
information and media literacy education in elementary,
secondary, higher, and public informal education;
(C) requesting that the Public Library Survey of
the Institute of Museum and Library Services continue
to collect such data on an ongoing basis; and
(D) annually reporting on the status of such
efforts.
(2) Develop and regularly update, not less frequently than
annually, a national strategy to promote information and media
literacy in accordance with section 105 and coordinate the
implementation of such strategy.
(3) Report on how information on the internet and social
media is created and consumed, with a particular focus on how
disinformation and misinformation are spread.
(4) Develop age-appropriate materials to promote
information and media literacy and education with a particular
focus on misinformation and disinformation and disseminate such
materials to the public.
(5) Assess and report on strategies and techniques to help
students and the public at large judge the trustworthiness and
reliability of information and images.
(6) Promote information and media literacy and related
educational efforts and materials at the State and local
levels, including by promoting partnerships among Federal,
State, and local governments and nonprofit organizations with
recognized expertise in media literacy. These efforts include
misinformation and disinformation educational and media
literacy campaigns for the public.
(7) Make recommendations to the appropriate congressional
committees and the Secretary of Education.
(c) Areas of Emphasis.--In carrying out the duties specified in
subsection (b), the Commission shall seek to--
(1) increase public awareness of and education on--
(A) how to find and identify if information is from
a trustworthy source;
(B) how to craft arguments, when claims are
supported by evidence, and how to analyze the validity
of claims and strength of arguments being made;
(C) methods to understand the difference between
fact or opinion or a mixture thereof;
(D) methods to identify misinformation and
disinformation;
(E) how to find and evaluate context for
information from different sources;
(F) how to detect manipulation of images or
information on digital platforms; and
(G) how influencers and various organizations
target and manipulate audiences through digital
platforms;
(2) improve information and media literacy and education by
encouraging individuals to develop related skills, including--
(A) critical thinking skills, including how to
identify the difference between credible and
noncredible claims and information;
(B) awareness of the impact of disinformation and
misinformation on individuals and society;
(C) increased familiarity and facility with new and
digital media with a particular emphasis on techniques
individuals may use to--
(i) find reliable and trustworthy
information sources; and
(ii) identify how information can be
manipulated for the consumer; and
(D) encourage habits that support the motivation to
learn based on verifiably true facts when engaging with
information sources; and
(3) improve information and media literacy and resilience
to misinformation and disinformation among students attending
elementary schools, secondary schools, institutions of higher
education, and adult education institutions.
(d) Consultation.--In carrying out the duties under subsection (b),
the Commission shall actively consult with experts in media and
information literacy and experts in misinformation and disinformation,
State and local educational agencies, and State higher education
agencies as determined appropriate by the Commission.
(e) Periodic Studies.--The Commission may conduct periodic studies
regarding the status of information and media literacy and educational
resources in the United States, as the Commission determines
appropriate.
(f) Materials in Other Languages.--The Commission may take such
steps as are appropriate to support the development of information and
media literacy and education materials in languages other than English.
SEC. 102. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of the following
members:
(1) The Secretary of Education, or the Secretary's
designee.
(2) The Director of the Institute of Museum and Library
Sciences, or the Director's designee.
(3) The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission,
or the Chair's designee.
(4) The Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, or the
Chair's designee.
(5) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human
Services, or the Secretary's designee.
(6) Not fewer than seven experts, selected by the Secretary
of Education, who represent diverse populations in the field of
information and media literacy, including experts such as--
(A) members of the International Communication
Association and Association for Education in Journalism
and Mass Communication; and
(B) experts cited in relevant professional journals
such as ``First Monday, Journal of Information
Literacy'', and ``Communications in Information
Literacy''.
(b) Alternates.--Each member of the Commission may designate an
alternate if the member is unable to attend a meeting of the
Commission. Such alternate shall be an individual who exercises
significant decision-making authority in the organization of the
member, as determined by the member concerned.
(c) Chairperson.--The Secretary of Education or the Secretary's
designee shall serve as the Chairperson of the Commission.
(d) Meetings.--
(1) Frequency.--The Commission shall meet at the call of
the Chairperson--
(A) not less frequently than once every 4 months
during the period of one year following the date of the
initial meeting of the Commission under subsection (f);
(B) not less frequently than biannually after the
expiration of such period; and
(C) at such other times as the Chairperson
determines appropriate to carry out this title.
(2) Open to public.--All meetings of the Commission shall
be open to the public.
(e) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
(f) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting
not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 103. HEARINGS.
(a) In General.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence as the Commission considers appropriate to carry out this
title.
(b) Participation.--In hearings held under this subsection, the
Commission shall consider inviting witnesses from--
(1) State and local educational agencies and State higher
education agencies with expertise in information or media
literacy;
(2) recognized information or media literacy experts; and
(3) recognized experts in online hate, disinformation, and
misinformation.
SEC. 104. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission shall
serve without compensation. Members of the Commission who are full-time
officers or employees of the United States may not receive additional
pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the
Commission.
(b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with applicable provisions subchapter I of chapter 57 of
title 5, United States Code.
(c) Detail of Federal Government Employees.--Any employee of the
Federal Government may be detailed to the Commission without
reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of
civil service status or privilege.
SEC. 105. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR INFORMATION AND MEDIA LITERACY AND
PREVENTING MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall--
(1) not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, develop a national strategy to promote information
and media literacy and resilience to misinformation and
disinformation among the American public; and
(2) coordinate the efforts of the Federal Government to
implement the strategy developed under paragraph (1).
(b) Elements.--The strategy under subsection (a) shall--
(1) be developed with the participation of State and local
governments (including State higher education agencies),
nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education;
(2) include strategies for--
(A) increasing the general information and media
literacy education level of the American public;
(B) enhancing the public's general understanding of
how information platforms operate; and
(C) encouraging members of the public to critically
analyze information sources and recognize manipulation,
misinformation, and disinformation; and
(3) include an assessment of existing efforts to promote
information and media literacy and education with a particular
focus on misinformation and disinformation.
(c) National Strategy Review.--On a periodic basis at times
determined appropriate by the Commission, the Commission shall review
the national strategy developed under subsection (b) and make such
changes and recommendations as it determines necessary.
SEC. 106. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
first meeting of the Commission, and annually thereafter, the
Commission shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
report on the progress of the Commission in carrying out this title.
(b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) a copy of the national strategy developed under section
105;
(2) information concerning the implementation of the duties
of the Commission;
(3) an assessment of the availability, utilization, and
effectiveness of existing information and media literacy and
educational materials;
(4) a brief summary of the information and media literacy
and education materials and data regarding the dissemination
and impact of such materials;
(5) a brief summary of any hearings conducted by the
Commission, including a list of witnesses who testified at such
hearings;
(6) information about any activities of the Commission
planned for the year following the date of the report; and
(7) such other information as the Commission determines
appropriate.
SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this title.
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
SEC. 201. GRANTS TO IMPROVE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC'S INFORMATION AND MEDIA
LITERACY AND RESILIENCE TO MISINFORMATION AND
DISINFORMATION.
(a) In General.--Beginning after the Commission completes the
development of the national strategy under section 105, the Secretary
of Education shall carry out a program under which the Secretary awards
grants, on a competitive basis, to one or more qualified nonprofit
organizations, including institutions of higher education, to develop
educational materials, multimedia awareness campaigns, and programming
to support information and media literacy and to combat misinformation
and disinformation for the greater American public.
(b) Relationship to Commission Activities.--The Secretary of
Education shall carry out the grant program under this section in a
manner that reflects the findings of the Commission with respect to--
(1) supporting public awareness of information and media
literacy;
(2) improving individual information and media literacy
skills;
(3) improving how information and media literacy is
addressed in educational settings; and
(4) improving the public's resilience to misinformation and
disinformation.
(c) Multilingual Materials.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Secretary may award grants for the development of
educational materials, multimedia awareness campaigns, and programming
in languages other than English as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(d) Performance Measures.--The Secretary shall develop and
implement a process to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities
carried out with grants under this section.
(e) Report.--On an annual basis during each year of the grant
program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the status of the
program.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2022, 2023, and 2024.
SEC. 202. STUDY AND REPORT ON INFORMATION AND MEDIA LITERACY AMONG THE
AMERICAN PUBLIC.
(a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Education shall conduct a
study to evaluate the extent of information and media literacy among
the American public.
(b) Elements.--The study under subsection (a) shall examine the
extent of the American public's knowledge and awareness of--
(1) how social media content is created;
(2) how members of the public make choices about
information as they consume, create, and share it;
(3) how intermediary technologies for search and social
sharing use algorithms and personal information to influence
the circulation and amplification or suppression of news,
information, opinion, and disinformation;
(4) methods to search and evaluate the reliability of
information;
(5) how news is gathered and reported and how that process
differs from opinion writing and information presented in talk-
show formats; and
(6) how disinformation and misinformation are shared and
circulated.
(c) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the findings and
conclusions the study conducted under subsection (a), together with--
(1) recommendations for legislative or administrative
action based on such study; and
(2) recommendations for improving information and media
literacy and resilience to misinformation and disinformation
among the American public.
SEC. 203. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ASSESSMENT.
(a) Effectiveness Study.--The Secretary of Education shall conduct
an assessment of the effectiveness of the Commission in promoting
information and media literacy and education in accordance with title
I.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Department of Education shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the results of the
study conducted under subsection (a).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
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