New Bill Would Affect Visas for International Journalists
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Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) has introduced a new bill: H.R. 2242 or the World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015. Its goal is “To protect the internationally recognized right of free expression, ensure the free flow of information, and protect journalists and media personnel globally.”
Immprofs might be most interested in Section 5 of the proposed legislation, which has its own policy statement:
“Given the critical importance of the press freedoms and the free flow of cross-border information for diplomatic, political, and financial relations globally, and for purposes of investors, businesses, and politicians making informed decisions, it should be the policy of the United States Government to respond strongly and persuasively to the growing number of restrictions, threats, detentions, harassment, arrests, pervasive surveillance, killings, and delays or denials of visas faced by foreign journalists and their domestic employees, especially the blockage and censorship of the websites of news corporations.”
The bill would amend INA 101(a)(15)(I) by including the following restrictions:
“(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an alien who is an executive of a state-owned media organization of a foreign state and is applying for a visa under section 101(a)(15)(I) during a fiscal year, the visa shall be refused if any United States journalist or news organization personnel were expelled, had visas denied, or faced intimidation or violence or other restrictions in the course of working in the foreign state during the previous fiscal year.
(2) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘executive of a state-owned media organization of a foreign state’ means a representative, operating in a managerial or executive capacity of a media organization that is majority owned, operated, or controlled by a foreign government operating in the United States.”
The bill has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs as well as the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means.
-KitJ