IN OTHER NEWS

U.S. Repeals Propaganda Ban

Government-funded radio and TV programs unleashed.

It used to be that the content of Radio Free Europe, Voice of America, and other content produced by the Broadcasting Board of Governors couldn't be transmitted in the United States at broadcast-quality levels because it was considered propaganda. But that all changed as of July 2, when the content, which reaches 100 countries in 60 different languages, became available in the United States. Part of the reason for the change was so ex-pats living in America could get access to the programming and part of it was so taxpayers can see what their money is being spent on. Decades ago, lawmakers blocked the content in the U.S. because they feared journalism produced by the government would have a corrosive effect on the public.