Bill Overview
Title: International Press Freedom Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes programs to address international threats to press freedom and allows qualifying threatened journalists to be admitted into the United States. The bill establishes an Office on International Press Freedom within the Department of State. The office's duties shall include (1) advocating for freedom of the press and freedom of expression abroad, (2) advising on U.S. policy on advancing such freedoms abroad, and (3) representing the United States in matters relating to such freedoms. The bill also establishes the At-Risk Journalists Fund. The State Department shall use the fund to support journalists operating in restrictive environments and provide emergency assistance to journalists who have been threatened. If the assistance provided through the fund is insufficient to protect the safety of an alien journalist who has been threatened, the journalist may receive a foreign media nonimmigrant visa upon meeting certain qualifications. The State Department must prioritize the review of a visa application for such a threatened journalist. Similarly, the Department of Homeland Security must consider providing humanitarian parole to threatened journalists and provide an admission preference to certain threatened journalists (generally if the journalist's life or safety is at risk and if paroling the journalist would further U.S. foreign policy or national security interests). The Department of Justice must provide training to all officials adjudicating refugee cases about issues involving freedom of the press. The State Department must also provide training on such issues to certain Foreign Service officers working overseas.
Sponsors: Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]
Target Audience
Population: Threatened international journalists facing press freedom restrictions
Estimated Size: 5000
- The bill is aimed at journalists operating in restrictive environments, which can be a significant number globally, given the many countries with poor records on press freedom.
- The target population includes journalists under threat, particularly those whose lives or wellbeing are endangered due to their work.
- Additional stakeholders potentially benefiting include media organizations that employ at-risk journalists, potentially impacting the overall press freedom climate.
- The At-Risk Journalists Fund will directly support international journalists, and the number of journalists eligible for assistance could span globally.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects international journalists facing threats in their home countries due to their work. Its direct impact on U.S. residents is limited to those involved in the process of granting visas and humanitarian parole, or who work in support roles advocating for press freedom.
- The population affected by the policy within the U.S. is comparatively small, as it is intended to provide refuge or support to foreign journalists, rather than to broadly impact U.S. residents.
- People in advocacy, journalism, or the State Department may have a higher engagement with this policy due to its focus on international press freedom.
- Financial constraints imply that while the policy can support some initiatives, its reach will be limited by the available budget. This budget must cover both the immediate relief efforts and the administrative efforts to promote global press freedom.
- While the potential global impact of the policy is extensive, realistically only a fraction of the global demand can be met under the current budget constraints.
Simulated Interviews
State Department Official (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy fills a crucial gap in our international relations strategy, particularly in promoting democratic values.
- The focus on press freedom aligns with our longstanding commitment to human rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Journalist (New York City, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring that the U.S. is taking a stronger stance on international press freedom.
- This policy may create safer environments for my colleagues working in hostile regions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Human Rights Activist (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a step forward in providing necessary protection to journalists under threat.
- However, the funding may still be insufficient for the global scale of the problem.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Media Executive (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help our international correspondents who face operational challenges in restricted environments.
- Though beneficial, more comprehensive international cooperation is needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
University Student (Portland, OR)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see a policy focused on international press freedom; it's a critical issue for democratic societies.
- I hope this inspires more proactive efforts globally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging to see legislative efforts safeguarding press freedoms internationally.
- I wonder if the policy will adequately address all the necessary areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Immigration Lawyer (Miami, FL)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can streamline the process for journalists seeking refuge in the U.S.
- I hope it leads to more comprehensive immigration reforms for threatened individuals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Tech Industry Analyst (Boston, MA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these help protect the individuals who bear witness to the truth.
- It’s crucial that support is ongoing, not just urgent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Local News Editor (Newark, NJ)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that supports our colleagues overseas is a step in the right direction.
- It's essential to uphold these freedoms to maintain journalistic integrity worldwide.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Social Media Manager (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a welcome change to see government resources allocated to protecting journalists.
- I hope this policy sets a precedent for future international cooperation in media protection.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $70000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $85000000)
Year 2: $72000000 (Low: $57000000, High: $87000000)
Year 3: $74000000 (Low: $59000000, High: $89000000)
Year 5: $78000000 (Low: $62000000, High: $92000000)
Year 10: $80000000 (Low: $64000000, High: $94000000)
Year 100: $110000000 (Low: $88000000, High: $132000000)
Key Considerations
- International diplomatic benefits and enhancement of U.S. soft power through advocacy for press freedom.
- Potential challenges and uncertainties in quantifying indirect benefits like improved global governance and stability.
- Operational risks related to prioritizing visas and ensuring safety for journalists.