The Smith Mundt Act was originally introduced in 1945. Known as the Bloom Bill, the original bill was to allow up and coming technologies like the radio to be permanent and accessible for the public. It also controlled propaganda sent out by the U.S government.
However, the bill was denied because it was seen as pro Russian and pro communism. Considering the time frame (cold war), it is not an unreasonable thought for law makers to have.
After working on the bill for a few years, it was passed and signed by President Truman in 1948. Formally becoming a law known as "The U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948".
Although there was still some doubt about the new law, Congress made it clear that it needed to cover 6 major things: Tell the truth; explain the motives of the United States; bolster morale and extend hope; give a true and convincing picture of American life, methods, and ideals; combat misrepresentation and distortion; and aggressively interpret and support American foreign policy.”
At the time, these laws were for appropriate for the time because there was no internet or social media. Also the U.S was on the defense and wanted to protect its citizens and what was being shared with them that might influence them negativity.
With the updating of the law in 2010, I think it was very smart. In 2010, social media was in its infant stages but was still a powerful source. I think it was smart that congressmen took it upon themselves to review the law when they did, because now in (almost) 2020, social media is one the strongest forces and is even an addiction for some. The biggest change that came with the updates included allowing documents produced/ written by the State Department and the Broadcasting Board of Governors to be available to U.S citizens
Although the first amendment protects our voices, it is still important to have something that regulates our voices and especially what the government is sending to the citizens of the U.S. Without laws like this, the government could be feeding us information this is false and dumb to protect themselves or try to be sneaky. Although they do probably get away with it sometimes, it is still important that is is monitored.
However, the bill was denied because it was seen as pro Russian and pro communism. Considering the time frame (cold war), it is not an unreasonable thought for law makers to have.
After working on the bill for a few years, it was passed and signed by President Truman in 1948. Formally becoming a law known as "The U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948".
Although there was still some doubt about the new law, Congress made it clear that it needed to cover 6 major things: Tell the truth; explain the motives of the United States; bolster morale and extend hope; give a true and convincing picture of American life, methods, and ideals; combat misrepresentation and distortion; and aggressively interpret and support American foreign policy.”
At the time, these laws were for appropriate for the time because there was no internet or social media. Also the U.S was on the defense and wanted to protect its citizens and what was being shared with them that might influence them negativity.
With the updating of the law in 2010, I think it was very smart. In 2010, social media was in its infant stages but was still a powerful source. I think it was smart that congressmen took it upon themselves to review the law when they did, because now in (almost) 2020, social media is one the strongest forces and is even an addiction for some. The biggest change that came with the updates included allowing documents produced/ written by the State Department and the Broadcasting Board of Governors to be available to U.S citizens
Although the first amendment protects our voices, it is still important to have something that regulates our voices and especially what the government is sending to the citizens of the U.S. Without laws like this, the government could be feeding us information this is false and dumb to protect themselves or try to be sneaky. Although they do probably get away with it sometimes, it is still important that is is monitored.
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