Eshoo Refiles Bill to Require Broadcasters, Other Media to Disclose Foreign Agent-Generated Content

Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., refiled the Foreign Entities Reform Act Thursday. HR-3698 would require broadcasters, cable and satellite providers to publish the same information on the source and funding of content originating from foreign agents who register with DOJ under the Foreign Agents Registration Act as is required under sponsorship ID rules of the Communications Act. Eshoo repeatedly pressed the FCC on the broadcast of Russia-backed propaganda, including a push for the commission to investigate whether Russian government-owned radio network Sputnik broadcast propaganda over U.S. airwaves in a bid to influence elections (see 1805010080). DOJ recently used FARA to successfully fight to require Florida company RM Broadcasting to register as a foreign agent for arranging broadcasts of Sputnik WZHF(AM) Capitol Heights, Maryland (see 1905130035).