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PD News – Media Monitor Reports
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CPD Media Monitor Reports synthesize and analyze the most relevant PDiN (Public Diplomacy in the News) articles on topical issues and are posted periodically by our research team at the USC Center on Public Diplomacy.
NOV 10, 2010
By Katherina Jawaharlal
Public Diplomacy Legislation: September 2008 – November 2010
Public diplomacy legislation has enjoyed several successes during the past two years. Congress has passed legislation and established precedents for public diplomacy (PD) and strategic communications (SC) within the U.S. government. International media coverage has been somewhat sparse and domestic coverage of public diplomacy legislation has not fared much better. However, the legislative measures have been successfully implemented and evaluated within PD academic and practitioner circles as well as in the PD blogosphere in the U.S. and abroad.
Public diplomacy and strategic communication gained traction as Congress recognized the utility of these tools for global engagement. The Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY 2010-2011 demonstrates Congress’ commitment to expanding and empowering Public Diplomacy for “global persistent engagement” over “persistent conflict.” HR 2410 establishes the Secretary of State as the head of public diplomacy and strategic communications, requires a majority of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy have substantial public diplomacy or related experience, improves accessibility to Libraries and Resource Centers and requires the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to report on the Libraries and Resource Centers. In addition, HR 2410 expands the Foreign Service for both State and USAID and requires members of the Service to obtain training and education. It also funds international documentary exchange programs. One could argue that one of the most innovative pieces of legislation is Section 212 of HR 2410 which establishes the Public Diplomacy Reserve Corps, which the Secretary of State may mobilize at any time.
In the Spring of 2010 the Congressional Caucus on Strategic Communications and Public Diplomacy was created to encourage dialogue about current and future U.S. public diplomacy ventures. The purpose of the caucus is to "raise awareness of the challenges facing strategic communication and public diplomacy and provide multiple perspectives on proposed solutions." Domestic media, driven by think-tanks, foundations and the PD blogosphere will monitor the activities of the Caucus. Before the creation of the SC/PD Caucus, several other public diplomacy-related legislative measures were presented to the U.S. Congress. For example, a great victory for science and public diplomacy was the unanimous approval of the 2009 Science Envoys Initiative (S.838) by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The bill highlights U.S. commitment to scientific research and education and “our willingness to collaborate with other countries to promote advancements in these fields throughout the world.” Shortly after the U.S. Science Envoys bill, in June 2009, Congress passed the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Bill. “The vision of the Simon Bill is to expand four-fold the number of American undergraduates who study abroad in quality programs across the globe, recognizing the urgent need to prepare the next generation of college graduates with critical language skills, cross-cultural competencies, and international knowledge.”
While public diplomacy legislation and discussions in Congress gained attention and appreciation from think-tanks and academia, the international and domestic media focused on increased U.S. “Aid Diplomacy.” In September 2009, the House of Representatives approved legislation authorizing U.S. foreign assistance programs for fiscal years 2010-2011. International media highlighted the Congressional vote to triple aid to Pakistan in 2010 – a $7 billion dollar non-military aid package. Another legislative measure that may have a positive impact for U.S. public diplomacy includes the passage of a bill that authorizes issuing a green card to a deceased U.S. citizen’s spouse.
With the exception of the international and domestic coverage of legislative initiatives to increase foreign aid, the media coverage of congressional and legislative public diplomacy measures has been infrequent at best. Although public diplomacy legislation did not capture the media spotlight, the U.S. Congress has certainly made strides in acknowledging the importance of public diplomacy and has made significant decisions for improving and expanding U.S. public diplomacy.
The Future of Public Diplomacy Legislation
Public diplomacy experts, practitioners and academics share a common goal for the reevaluation of the outdated relic from the Cold War, the Smith-Mundt Act. This legislation, originally created to counter anti-U.S. propaganda overseas, while “protecting” domestic audiences from the U.S. broadcasts, Smith-Mundt was actively utilized against Soviet propaganda in the foreign radio and print media. Considering the radically evolved international media environment of the 21st century, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R–TX) and Adam Smith (D–WA), members of the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, introduced the “Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2010” (H.R. 5729). “It is time—past time really—to update this law that ties the hands of our diplomats, military, and intelligence professionals. This bill removes legal hurdles and helps bring America’s public diplomacy and communications efforts into the information age,” stated Congressman Thornberry shortly after the announcement of the legislative measure. “Smith-Mundt must be updated to bolster our strategic communications and public diplomacy capacity on all fronts and mediums—especially online.” Though the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act is a strong step toward revaluating an archaic and dated public diplomacy legislation, the path toward revision has been long and arduous. While most scholars, practitioners and policy makers agree change is necessary, the process requires challenging and lengthy discourse. In light of recent Congressional attention and legislative measures toward expanding and enhancing U.S. public diplomacy, there is hope and a forum for discourse on Smith-Mundt modernization and other positive public diplomacy legislation.
Legislative Actions
Nominations to the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy sent to the Senate
Mountain Runner
The White House announced last night that they sent four nominations for the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to the Senate. This includes the two the White House announced an intent to nominate in November, Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Mr. Sim Farar.
US must ‘ramp up’ fight on Internet censorship
AFP
Faced with aggressive public outreach by China, the United States must ramp up its own efforts and do a better job fighting Internet censorship, a Senate committee report says.
The folly of trading an updated budget for a ‘robo budget’ (Sen. Pat Leahy)
The Hill (Blog)
Last week, Republican members who had pledged to support the fiscal year 2011 Omnibus Appropriations Bill changed their minds and chose instead to walk in lockstep with the House and Senate Republican leaders who believe that freezing spending at the fiscal year 2010 level is good politics.
A notional model for evaluating public diplomacy
MountainRunner
The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy met last week to discuss its biennial report to appraise U.S. Government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics. In 2008, the Commission come out with a report on the human resource aspect of public diplomacy.
Recalling History: Advisory Commission tells Congress to Expand VOA
MountainRunner.us
On March 30, 1949, in its first semi-annual report by the US Advisory Commission on Information, the predecessor to today's Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, recommended an "immediate and broad expansion of the world-wide information program being conducted by the State Department, including the activities of the Voice of America."
Peace Corps Needs Senator Mikulski Tomorrow
The Huffington Post (blog)
There is a lot of talk on Capitol Hill about "smart power" and "soft power" but when it comes to funding programs like the Peace Corps, lawmakers hesitate, or they do not understand how an extra $10 or $20 million dollars is transformative...
Updating Smith-Mundt for the 21st Century
The Heritage Foundation (blog)
Since 1948, Cold War legislation has been tying the hands of practitioners of U.S. public diplomacy and international broadcasting. The law in question is the Smith-Mundt Act, which was intended to allow the State Department to counter Soviet propaganda in foreign media...
Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2010
MountainRunner.us
On July 13, US Congressmen Mac Thornberry (TX-13) and Adam Smith (D-WA), both members of the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, introduced “The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2010” (H.R. 5729), a bipartisan bill to revise an outdated restriction that interferes with the United States’ diplomatic and military efforts.
Tackling the Challenges of the Broadcasting Board of Governors
The Foundry
The new Broadcasting Board of Governors, announced on Friday by the Obama White House, have their work cut out for them.
Alhurra’s Effectiveness, Expense Criticized in New Senate Report
ProPublica
Findings in a new U.S. Senate report that questions the effectiveness and costs of continuing Alhurra are leading to renewed calls for congressional hearings on the government-run satellite channel and the broadcasting agency that oversees its work.
US Congress recognizes Nanjing City as ‘Model for International Cooperation’
Global Times
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to recognise Nanjing City of China as a "Model for International Cooperation" in order to award the city's active involvement in cooperation with the United States in education, innovation and entrepreneurship, and this was the first Chinese city to win such an award, Li Jiansheng, executive chairman of the US-China Partnership Committee said.
Senate: U.S. broadcasts to Cuba failed
Cuba Headlines
Radio and TV Marti, the U.S. government-sponsored broadcasts to Cuba, have failed to make an impact on the communist-led island and sometimes show a pro-Cuban bias in news reporting, a new Senate report said on Monday.
Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communications Review: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight
The Heritage Foundation
Today, new informational and ideological challenges to American leadership have arisen. Furthermore, the media environment has become far more competitive and diverse. If there was ever a time that called out for a new and sophisticated U.S. public diplomacy doctrine, this is it.
What’s Past is Prologue: A Senate Foreign Relations Committee Review of the Future of U.S. PD
CPD Blog
Last week, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee convened a hearing entitled “The Future of U.S. Public Diplomacy”. The stated objective of the hearing was to assess how U.S. public diplomacy initiatives of the past could be used to inform U.S. public diplomacy activities of the future.
Berman Introduces Legislation to Boost U.S. Science Diplomacy
Frontier India
Congressman Howard L. Berman (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today introduced bipartisan legislation to enhance U.S. efforts at science diplomacy.
Senior Military Leaders Urge Congress to Boost Non-Military Tools
PR Newswire
"Our military works hand-in-hand with diplomats and development experts in meeting the challenges and responsibilities we face around the world," said General Hagee.
Congress steps up: a caucus for strategic communication and public diplomacy
Mountainrunner.us
In the US House of Representatives, non-partisan group to share information on issues related to global engagement is now active. The purpose of the Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy Caucus is to "raise awareness of the challenges facing strategic communication and public diplomacy and provide multiple perspectives on proposed solutions."
U.S. Senate Approves Stronger Penalties Against Iran
The New York Times (Reuters)
The United States Senate approved legislation on Thursday that would let President Obama impose sanctions on Iran’s gasoline suppliers and penalize some of Tehran’s elites, a move aimed at pressing Tehran to give up its nuclear program.
U.S. Senate Bill S.838: To Provide for the Appointment of U.S. Science Envoys
U.S. Government Printing Office
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar proposed the creation of a Science Envoy program in April 2009. His legislation was soon passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. On November 3rd, Secretary Clinton announced the creation of a U.S. Science Envoy Program.
Congress passes green-card bill for spouses of deceased U.S. citizens
The Los Angeles Times
Congress passed a bill Tuesday that would make widows and widowers of U.S. citizens eligible for green cards even if their spouses died before their applications were approved...Now, surviving spouses can apply for a green card for themselves and their children regardless of when the U.S. citizen died or how long they were married.
As Obama Scores an Iran Breakthrough, Congress Fumbles
The Huffington Post
As the pressure built early last week for President Obama to forgo diplomacy with Iran in favor of imposing new sanctions, Iran's top opposition leader posed a piercing question to the world. "Which one of [Iran's leaders] can be expected to care about the agony their behavior imposes on people?" Mir-Hossein Mousavi asked. By belying the bankruptcy of the alternatives, his question underscored the importance of President Obama's diplomatic engagement with Iran.
Congress to Vote on Bill to Triple Aid to Pak
Outlookindia.com
The US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill to triple non-military aid to Pakistan to USD7.5 billion in the next five years with riders demanding strong counter-terrorism measures and preventing attacks on the West or its neighbours like India.
Defense and Strategic Communication: what did Congress ask for before the recess?
Mountainrunner.us
Much has been made of made of Congressional concerns over the Defense Department's role in strategic communication and as the de facto leading public diplomat in policy, engagement, and personnel. At first the lack of informed media coverage - and shallow or error-filled when it exists - is ironic considering the subject, but there it is part of a trend when considering that in general public diplomacy and the laws governing it are also subject to misinformation and misinterpretation
US Congressional Staffers Meet With Burma Opposition Leaders
VOA
The U.S. embassy in Rangoon says the committee staffers are visiting Burma as part of a regional tour to assess U.S. public diplomacy and assistance programs.
HR 2410: Public Diplomacy Requires Leadership, Training, Access, and Oversight
MountainRunner Blog
Yesterday, the House passed HR 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY 2010-2011, on a vote of 235-187. This bill is potentially the most important Foreign Relations Authorization bill in decades.
US House Of Representatives Approves State Department Funding Measure
VOA
The House of Representatives has approved legislation authorizing U.S foreign assistance programs and other spending for the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years. Lawmakers debated a range of global issues before the 235 to 187 vote approving the measure.
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Simon Study Abroad Bill
PR Newswire
The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act gained significant momentum yesterday as it passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410). The Foreign Relations Act, introduced last month by Representative Howard Berman (D-Calif.), is a comprehensive piece of legislation to enhance the U.S. foreign policy efforts of the U.S. Department of State and the Peace Corps.
H.R. 2410: Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011
GovTrack.us
Authorizes the Secretary of State (Secretary) to establish in the Foreign Service a Public Diplomacy Reserve Corps consisting of mid- and senior-level former Foreign Service officers and other individuals to serve for a period of six months to two years abroad.
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act
NAFSA
The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410) by a vote of 235-187. This broad foreign relations bill authorizes funding for the operations of the U.S. Department of State and the Peace Corps, and includes innovative new programs like the Simon Act that enhance U.S. capacity to engage with the world.
Senate Resolution 49
The Library of Congress
To express the sense of the Senate regarding the importance of public diplomacy.
Simon Study Abroad Act Included in Foreign Relations Authorization Bill
PR Newswire
The vision of the Simon bill is to expand four-fold the number of American undergraduates who study abroad in quality programs across the globe, recognizing the urgent need to prepare the next generation of college graduates with critical language skills, cross-cultural competencies, and international knowledge.
Senate Resolution 838
The Library of Congress
A bill to provide for the appointment of United States Science Envoys.
Getting Past Smith-Mundt
Intermap
Revisiting Smith-Mundt means acknowledging the context of its original passage - and how it central it was to establishing a capacity to inform global audiences at a time when arguably “good” U.S. policies like the Marshall Plan were being drowned out by Soviet propaganda...With an incoming administration - the possibilities for a revised Smith-Mundt and a renewed vision for U.S. public diplomacy are encouraging. Removing the ban won’t single-handedly revitalize U.S. public diplomacy - but serious legislative and executive attention to the broader process of communication and advocacy is a step in the right direction towards a coherent attitude about strategic communication.
S: 1661 Travel Promotion Act of 2007
govtrack.us
A bill to communicate United States travel policies and improve marketing and other activities designed to increase travel in the United States from abroad.
Obama Administration’s Policies on the Travel Industry
BUCOM Beat
Key meetings & travel industry professionals have come out in full support of the new administrations moves thus far. The main issues being considered include the value of the U.S. dollar, open sky agreements, modernizing air traffic control, airline bailouts & merger approvals, TSA overhaul, passenger rights, funding for rail transportation and infrastructure, visa waivers, and promotion of the U.S. as an international tourism destination. The Obama Administration does support the Travel Promotion Act, as he was one of the 51 Senators supporting S. 1661 on the Hill.
A Thanksgiving Present and Reality Check
Blogger News Network
Ted Kaufman (Edward E. Kaufman) was appointed to the U.S. Senate seat from Delaware vacated by his former boss, Vice President elect Joe Biden. Ted Kaufman was the primary force behind the shutting down of many Voice of America radio broadcasts, including programs to Russia.
My 2 Cents on the Brownback bill: Initial Language and Justifications
Intermap (blog)
Senator Brownback’s latest piece of legislation, “the Strategic Communication Act of 2008” is a landmark proposal to reform U.S. public diplomacy efforts at the institutional level – by creating a new National Strategic Communication Center that fuses the responsibilities of the Broadcast Board of Governors with the public diplomacy functions managed by the State Department. There is a lot to digest in the bill’s language, in terms of language, strategy, institutional dynamics and policy implications. I will address these in a series of posts, starting with a discussion of the justificatory assumptions behind the bill. First and foremost – this bill effectively discards the term “public diplomacy” to name the institutional function of this center. Public diplomacy becomes what the “National Strategic Communication Center” does.
The Visa Waiver Program: Mitigating risks to ensure safety of all Americans
Senate.gov
The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security, heard testimony on the visa waiver program (VWP). The VWP allows citizens in participating countries to enter the United States without obtaining a visa or being interviewed or screened in U.S. embassies and consulates. Bush administration officials are “moving aggressively” to expand the program to include 13 new countries before the end of the year, according to a General Accounting Office (GAO) report released in late September.
Schuker Testifies on Reforming Public Diplomacy
Atlantic Council
Jill A. Schuker, president of JAS International and a member of the Atlantic Council Board of Directors, testified 24 September before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee On Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia on “A Reliance on Smart Power--Reforming the Public Diplomacy Bureaucracy."
S. 3546: A bill to establish the National Center for Strategic Communication
Govtrack.us
A bill to establish the National Center for Strategic Communication to advise the President regarding public diplomacy and international broadcasting to promote democracy and human rights, and for other purposes. [this link provides tracking of the bill's progress through the legislative process)
A Reliance on Smart Power - Reforming the Public Diplomacy Bureaucracy
hsgac.Senate.gov
U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The hearing examines the elements of the federal government responsible for coordinating our public diplomacy, including their respective missions, organizational structures, workforce, and management.
Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2007
Congress.gov
The Committee on Foreign Relations, having had under consideration the bill H.R. 2553, to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for the establishment and maintenance of existing libraries and resource centers at United States diplomatic and consular missions to provide information about American culture, society, and history, and for other purposes, reports favorably thereon with amendments and recommends that the bill do pass.
Reauthorization of United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy
Congress.gov
The Committee on Foreign Relations, having had under consideration a bill to amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.
Media Coverage
U.S. Press Wants its Al Jazeera English!
Media Research Center
The "Arab Spring" that's swept the Middle East over the last few months has brought to prominence a new news source: Al Jazeera English. The fortunes of AJE got a boost when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sang its praises in a Senate committee hearing...
Private sector’s role in reducing the use of ‘conflict minerals’
Reuters
But for those of us who are working with corporations to tackle big global problems, the financial reform bill’s provisions raise three important questions: 1. What change are we seeking to achieve? 2. How can we achieve that change? 3. What is the responsible role of the private sector?
Alhurra’s Effectiveness, Expense Criticized in New Senate Report
ProPublica
Findings in a new U.S. Senate report that questions the effectiveness and costs of continuing Alhurra are leading to renewed calls for congressional hearings on the government-run satellite channel and the broadcasting agency that oversees its work.
US Congress recognizes Nanjing City as ‘Model for International Cooperation’
Global Times
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to recognise Nanjing City of China as a "Model for International Cooperation" in order to award the city's active involvement in cooperation with the United States in education, innovation and entrepreneurship, and this was the first Chinese city to win such an award, Li Jiansheng, executive chairman of the US-China Partnership Committee said.
Senate: U.S. broadcasts to Cuba failed
Cuba Headlines
Radio and TV Marti, the U.S. government-sponsored broadcasts to Cuba, have failed to make an impact on the communist-led island and sometimes show a pro-Cuban bias in news reporting, a new Senate report said on Monday.
As Obama Scores an Iran Breakthrough, Congress Fumbles
The Huffington Post
As the pressure built early last week for President Obama to forgo diplomacy with Iran in favor of imposing new sanctions, Iran's top opposition leader posed a piercing question to the world. "Which one of [Iran's leaders] can be expected to care about the agony their behavior imposes on people?" Mir-Hossein Mousavi asked. By belying the bankruptcy of the alternatives, his question underscored the importance of President Obama's diplomatic engagement with Iran.
Congress to Vote on Bill to Triple Aid to Pak
Outlookindia.com
The US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill to triple non-military aid to Pakistan to USD7.5 billion in the next five years with riders demanding strong counter-terrorism measures and preventing attacks on the West or its neighbours like India.
H.R. 2410 Public Diplomacy Takes Center Stage
Diplopundit
This House resolution authorizes the Secretary of State (Secretary) to establish in the Foreign Service a Public Diplomacy Reserve Corps consisting of mid- and senior-level former Foreign Service officers and other individuals to serve for a period of six months to two years abroad. It provides for the enhancement of U.S. diplomatic outreach worldwide.
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act
NAFSA
The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410) by a vote of 235-187. This broad foreign relations bill authorizes funding for the operations of the U.S. Department of State and the Peace Corps, and includes innovative new programs like the Simon Act that enhance U.S. capacity to engage with the world.
Science Envoy, Public Diplomacy Bills Clear Committee
American Chronicle
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee today unanimously passed S.838, U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar´s bill establishing "United States Science Envoys." The bill would highlight our nation´s commitment to scientific research and education, as well as our willingness to collaborate with other countries to promote advancements in these fields throughout the world.
A Proposed Strategy for Public Diplomacy
The Washington Independent
The White Oak signatories are critical of the "war of ideas" approach but definitely reject the public-relations model.
Hearing Assesses State of Public Diplomacy
Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange
At a Congressional hearing last week, a senior U.S. Senator described U.S. public diplomacy as being 'arguably at its lowest point in history.' To address that problem, a former Member of Congress testified that what is needed is 'a Marshall Plan for international exchange'. [membership required]
Brownback Introduces Public Diplomacy Legislation
The Fort Scott Tribune
U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today introduced legislation that would establish the National Center for Strategic Communications, an agency similar to the now defunct U.S. Information Agency...In addition to establishing a new public diplomacy agency, Brownback's proposal would abolish the existing Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy at the State Department and the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
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