The Smith-Mundt Act

The Smith-Mundt Act, passed in 1948, established policies for the U.S. government to engage in public diplomacy, including foreign broadcasting. It aimed to promote a better understanding of American values and policies abroad. The Act originally prohibited domestic dissemination of U.S. government-produced propaganda, meaning the information was intended for foreign audiences and not for U.S. citizens. Over the years, parts of this restriction have been altered, leading to discussions about the implications of domestic access to such content and its potential impact on public perception and media.