Us Congress Senate Bill SR833

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/19/24
• Refer: 9/19/24

Caption

A resolution countering disinformation, propaganda, and misinformation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and calling for multi-stakeholder efforts to address the significant detrimental effects that the rise in disinformation, propaganda, and misinformation in regional information environments has on democratic governance, human rights, and United States national interests.

Impact

In addressing these challenges, SR833 encourages a range of actions, including increased investment in media and digital literacy education and a commitment from regional governments to counter disinformation practices. It also calls upon the U.S. government to play a pivotal role in supporting independent media initiatives and coordinating regional responses to misinformation. The bill aims to strengthen the information environment, helping to safeguard democratic values in a region increasingly susceptible to external disinformation campaigns, particularly from authoritarian regimes.

Summary

SR833 is a resolution aimed at countering disinformation, propaganda, and misinformation in Latin America and the Caribbean. The bill recognizes the serious threats posed by manipulated information environments to democratic governance and human rights across the region. It emphasizes the need for multi-stakeholder efforts to address the detrimental effects of disinformation, particularly as it poses a risk to electoral integrity and contributes to civil unrest within these countries. The resolution also underscores the importance of fostering independent media and enhancing media literacy among the populace to combat these threats effectively.

Contention

Notably, the resolution highlights concerns over the use of disinformation as a tool by foreign actors, particularly from countries like China, Russia, and Iran, to undermine U.S. interests and influence democratic processes in Latin America. This has raised alarms among supporters of the bill about the need for proactive measures to combat these foreign efforts before they harm the political landscape further. The resolution promotes integrating efforts across various stakeholders to ensure a cohesive response, but it remains to be seen how such coordination will be structured and implemented.