World Press Freedom Protection and Reciprocity Act
Summary
World Press Freedom Protection and Reciprocity Act This bill establishes requirements related to the protection and support of journalists and media personnel abroad. Specifically, the President must establish a plan to (1) negotiate access for U.S. news and media organizations and their employees globally, and (2) work to enhance reciprocity for news and media organizations operating in the United States. The President may impose visa-blocking sanctions on any foreign person who is responsible for the jailing, killing, or torture of journalists or media personnel or significant efforts to harass or restrict the activities, terminate the visas, or threaten the safety of journalists or media personnel. Identification statements required to be placed on informational materials distributed in the United States by an agent of a foreign principal on behalf of such principal must be labeled, marked, or stamped conspicuously at the top of the first page of such materials. The annual country reports on human rights and development assistance and human rights and security assistance must include an assessment of freedom of expression with respect to electronic information in foreign countries. Lastly, the bill establishes the Global Press Freedom Defense Fund to provide assistance to foreign journalists and media personnel who are victims of restrictions on the internationally recognized right to freedom of expression, including assistance to pay for legal and other related expenses.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2021
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Apr 29, 2021
Last action Apr 29, 2021
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Apr 29, 2021
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
upper
Apr 29, 2021
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Marco Rubio
RRepublican
Co
Benjamin L. Cardin
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Van Hollen
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about S 1478
Scope: US
Hi! I can help you understand S 1478. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline