Smith-Mundt Act

The Smith-Mundt Act, passed in 1948, originally restricted the U.S. government from spreading its domestic propaganda. Its goal was to prevent government-produced information from influencing the American public, ensuring a clear separation between international broadcasting and domestic information. However, in 2013, the law was amended, allowing certain government-produced content to be shared within the U.S. for educational or informational purposes. The act primarily aims to promote transparency and prevent misuse of government communications, balancing national interests in international messaging with protections for domestic information integrity.