Introduced Version
SENATE BILL No. 318
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 24-4-25.5.
Synopsis: Required disclosures and access of foreign media. Requires
certain media entities operating in Indiana to disclose: (1) foreign
ownership; (2) foreign funding; and (3) the use of foreign sourced or
influenced content. Authorizes the secretary of state to impose a civil
penalty of not more than $50,000 for a knowing or intentional violation
of the disclosure requirements. Requires certain media entities to
obtain special accreditation from the department of administration to
attend state media events, and allows the department of administration
to revoke the special accreditation under certain circumstances.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Baldwin
January 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology.
2025 IN 318—LS 7386/DI 106 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
SENATE BILL No. 318
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade
regulation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 24-4-25.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]:
4 Chapter 25.5. Foreign Media Ownership
5 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "foreign entity" means:
6 (1) one (1) or more individuals who are not United States
7 citizens or permanent residents;
8 (2) an organization having foreign ownership that is equal to
9 or greater than five percent (5%) of the:
10 (A) fair market value;
11 (B) market capitalization; or
12 (C) total voting rights;
13 of the organization; or
14 (3) an organization that is an instrumentality of or controlled
15 by a foreign government.
16 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "foreign ownership" means an
17 ownership interest (including voting rights) in an Indiana media
2025 IN 318—LS 7386/DI 106 2
1 entity that is held or controlled by a foreign entity. However, the
2 term does not include an ownership interest derived solely from
3 holding publicly traded securities of a media entity.
4 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "funding" means:
5 (1) income; or
6 (2) a monetary or in-kind contribution or donation.
7 Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "Indiana media entity" means a
8 media entity that:
9 (1) has a physical presence in Indiana; or
10 (2) receives income from one (1) or more subscribers located
11 in Indiana.
12 Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "media entity" means one (1) or
13 more of the following:
14 (1) A newspaper of general circulation in Indiana.
15 (2) A broadcaster serving Indiana.
16 (3) A website that provides news, commentary, or discussion
17 concerning political matters to Indiana residents.
18 (4) Any other source of news or information that provides
19 news, commentary, or discussion concerning political matters
20 to Indiana residents.
21 Sec. 6. (a) Before December 31, 2025, and before December 31
22 of each year thereafter, an Indiana media entity with foreign
23 ownership that is equal to or greater than five percent (5%) of the:
24 (1) fair market value;
25 (2) market capitalization; or
26 (3) total voting rights;
27 of the Indiana media entity must file a report with the secretary of
28 state disclosing the foreign ownership.
29 (b) An Indiana media entity required to make a report under
30 subsection (a) shall include in the report:
31 (1) the percentage of foreign ownership;
32 (2) the name of each foreign owner;
33 (3) the country of origin of each foreign owner; and
34 (4) any other relevant information required by the secretary
35 of state.
36 The Indiana media entity shall publish the most recent copy of the
37 report on the entity's website not later than seven (7) days after the
38 report is filed with the secretary of state.
39 Sec. 7. (a) Before December 31, 2025, and before December 31
40 of each year thereafter, an Indiana media entity that has received
41 at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in funding, in aggregate,
42 from one (1) or more foreign entities must file a report with the
2025 IN 318—LS 7386/DI 106 3
1 secretary of state disclosing the funding.
2 (b) An Indiana media entity required to make a report under
3 subsection (a) shall include in the report:
4 (1) the total amount of the funding;
5 (2) the name of each foreign entity that provided funding and
6 the amount of funding provided;
7 (3) the country of origin of each foreign entity;
8 (4) the purpose of the funding and how the funding was used;
9 and
10 (5) any other relevant information required by the secretary
11 of state.
12 The Indiana media entity shall publish the most recent copy of the
13 report on the entity's website not later than seven (7) days after the
14 report is filed with the secretary of state.
15 Sec. 8. An Indiana media entity required to make a report under
16 sections 6 and 7 of this chapter may file one (1) report that includes
17 all of the information required under sections 6 and 7 of this
18 chapter.
19 Sec. 9. An Indiana media entity that publishes or broadcasts
20 content:
21 (1) sourced from; or
22 (2) influenced by;
23 a foreign entity must include the name of the foreign entity in the
24 publication or broadcast.
25 Sec. 10. (a) The secretary of state shall conduct regular audits
26 to ensure that an Indiana media entity complies with the
27 requirements of this chapter.
28 (b) The secretary of state may impose a civil penalty of not more
29 than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) on an Indiana media entity
30 that knowingly or intentionally fails to comply with the disclosure
31 and reporting requirements of this chapter.
32 Sec. 11. (a) This section applies to an Indiana media entity that:
33 (1) is required to make a report under section 6 or 7 of this
34 chapter; or
35 (2) has been sanctioned by the secretary of state under section
36 10 of this chapter.
37 (b) A person to which this section applies must obtain special
38 accreditation from the Indiana department of administration to
39 attend a state government media event.
40 (c) The Indiana department of administration shall establish
41 criteria for granting special accreditation under subsection (b). In
42 determining whether to grant special accreditation, the department
2025 IN 318—LS 7386/DI 106 4
1 shall consider:
2 (1) the extent to which the Indiana media entity is transparent
3 about the extent of foreign ownership and funding; and
4 (2) the potential influence on public opinion.
5 (d) The Indiana department of administration may revoke
6 special accreditation if a person to which this section applies has
7 failed to comply with the requirements of this chapter.
2025 IN 318—LS 7386/DI 106