Reply #20: Passed in HUD Appropiations bill.

[Marie26]

It WAS approved by the Senate. Thanks, I didn't know about this new law. It's good to see the Congress is actually doing something right. This law makes it illegal for them to pay journalists for false stories, or to use federal money for propaganda purposes. It looks like CENTCOM is contacting bloggers to offer info or tours. It's undoubtably a PR effort, but it seems like it could fall into a gray area because it's not actually paying third parties for favorable info. Still, if there's a whole unit devoted to only the PR effort, it could still be considered a misuse of CENTCOM appropiations under this law. Maybe bloggers could quote this law back at CENTCOM if anyone is contacted under this program.


Sec. 821. No part of any funds appropriated in this or any other Act
shall be used by an agency of the executive branch, other than for
normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, for publicity
or propaganda purposes, and for the preparation, distribution or use of
any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television or film
presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before
the Congress, except in presentation to the Congress itself.

Sec. 823. None of the funds made available in this Act or any other
Act may be used to provide any non-public information such as mailing or
telephone lists to any person or any organization outside of the Federal
Government without the approval of the Committees on Appropriations.

Sec. 824. No part of any appropriation contained in this or any
other Act shall be used directly or indirectly, including by private
contractor, for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United
States not heretofor authorized by the Congress.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ115.109