INFORM Act

Bill Number

S. 417

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Last Updated

2025-03-08T06:38:19Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The INFORM Act of 2025 aims to counter the People's Republic of China's (PRC) internet censorship and propaganda by developing a U.S. government strategy to increase Chinese citizens' access to independent, uncensored information. It seeks to promote human rights, rule of law, and good governance in the PRC through enhanced content creation, distribution tools, and diplomatic efforts to address unequal access to information between the U.S. and the PRC.

Key Provisions

• Findings and Policy Statements: The bill outlines Congress's recognition of the PRC's "Great Firewall" (a system blocking foreign websites and tools) and surveillance regime, which stifles dissent and spreads anti-U.S. propaganda. It notes growing demand among Chinese citizens for alternative information, as seen in events like protests and VPN usage spikes. U.S. policy prioritizes engaging PRC citizens with relevant Mandarin-language content on daily issues, government failures, and global events, while coordinating circumvention tools (like VPNs) and working with allies.

• Strategy Development (Sec. 6): The President must submit an unclassified strategy (with optional classified annex) within one year of enactment to Congress. This includes:
• Plans to boost adoption of tools that bypass PRC censorship and enable secure communication.
• Assessments of Mandarin content creation by U.S. agencies, audience engagement, and gaps in coverage.
• Coordination to avoid duplication in content development and funding for external tools.
• Efforts to pair content with circumvention tools, build networks with influencers, and engage PRC citizens abroad.
• Requests for additional resources like funding.

• Global News Service Establishment (Sec. 7): Amends the U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to create a new grantee entity under the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This service will:
• Curate, translate, and distribute PRC-related news (e.g., on malign activities) in Mandarin and English.
• Target Chinese diaspora, global journalists, and media in PRC-influenced countries.
• Operate independently but under USAGM oversight, with audits by the Government Accountability Office and restrictions on influencing U.S. legislation.

• Interagency Task Force (Sec. 8): Establishes a presidential task force led by a Coordinator, involving the Department of State, National Security Council, and other agencies. Key functions:
• Develop and implement the strategy.
• Coordinate Mandarin content on PRC issues (e.g., human rights, economy).
• Increase funding for circumvention tools, secure sharing, journalism networks, and surveys of PRC citizen interests.
• Specific roles for State Department (content dissemination, funding media freedom) and USAGM entities like Radio Free Asia (RFA, expand Mandarin programming), Voice of America (VOA, increase PRC-relevant content), Open Technology Fund (develop anti-censorship tech), and the new Global News Service.
• Authorizes $25 million annually for State (2025–2029) and $50 million for USAGM for these efforts.

• Addressing Reciprocity (Sec. 9): Directs the Secretary of State to prioritize diplomatic talks with the PRC on unequal access for U.S. journalists, diplomats, and companies. The President should consider tools (e.g., restrictions) to counter PRC barriers.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends the U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994 by adding a new section (309B) for the Global News Service, integrating it into USAGM's grant system alongside entities like VOA and RFA. This expands broadcasting mandates to focus on PRC-specific content curation and global distribution.
• Introduces new requirements for presidential strategy submission and interagency coordination, which did not previously exist in such a targeted form for PRC information access.
• Authorizes specific appropriations for circumvention and content programs, increasing funding beyond current levels for tools like publicly funded VPNs.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Enhances coordination and resources for the Department of State and USAGM, potentially streamlining efforts but requiring new administrative structures (e.g., task force, Coordinator). Increased funding could boost tech development and journalism support.
• On Citizens: Improves PRC citizens' access to balanced information on domestic issues (e.g., corruption, protests) and U.S. life, fostering greater awareness and dissent. Chinese diaspora and travelers may gain temporary uncensored internet access.
• On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. public diplomacy and alliances by sharing content with partners, but could escalate tensions with the PRC, viewed as interference in its information space. It counters PRC global propaganda, potentially influencing media in affected countries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government Entities: Department of State (leads content and diplomacy), USAGM and affiliates (RFA, VOA, Open Technology Fund, Global News Service), National Security Council.
• PRC Citizens and Diaspora: Primary beneficiaries through expanded access to independent news, potentially empowering activism on human rights and governance.
• Media and Tech Sector: Journalists, influencers, content creators, and tech firms (e.g., for circumvention tools) gain funding and networks; U.S. media outlets benefit from curated PRC content.
• International Actors: Allies and partners for coordinated strategies; PRC government and state media as targets of counter-propaganda.
• Nongovernmental Groups: Organizations focused on media freedom, surveys, and open-source tech development.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Authorizes audits and oversight to ensure accountability without designating the Global News Service as a federal entity, preserving its independence. Funding restrictions prevent domestic political influence, aligning with First Amendment protections for free press.
• Constitutional: Supports U.S. values of free speech by promoting global information access, but raises questions on foreign interference if PRC views it as subversive. No direct constitutional challenges noted.
• Political: Positions information access as a U.S. national security priority, intensifying the U.S.-PRC "information war." It signals bipartisan support (introduced by Sens. Sullivan and Shaheen) for human rights promotion, potentially influencing future aid and sanctions, but may provoke PRC retaliation against U.S. diplomats or firms.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

Cosponsors (1)

Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
• 2025-02-05: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Informing a Nation with Free, Open, and Reliable Media Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-05 — PDF (33 pages)