December 9th, 2009 by Zack

Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) has proposed H.R.2278 that calls for the “President to transmit to Congress a report on anti-American incitement to violence in the Middle East.”  The bill focuses on Middle Eastern media outlets, including al-Manar, al-Aqsa, al-Zawra, that broadcast calls of violence against Americans and the United States and calls for a report in six months that lists anti-American media outlets and satellite companies that provide these channels..  The bill also proposes that the U.S. should: designate satellite providers that knowingly contract with such entities as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists,” evaluate levels of foreign assistance with reference to state-sponsorship of anti-American incitement to violence, and “urge all governments and private investors who own shares in satellite companies or otherwise influence decisions about satellite transmissions to oppose transmissions of [such] telecasts.”

A motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill passed 395-3 , with 9 voting present.

Posted in Congress, Journalism, Legislation, Reform, US foreign policy, US politics | 1 Comment »