Public Relations and Propaganda : Restrictions on Executive Agency Activities / Kevin R. Kosar.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kosar, Kevin R., author.

Series:

CRS report for Congress, RL32750.

CRS report for Congress, RL32750

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Administrative law.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (10 pages).

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress, 2005.

Summary:

Controversies recently have arisen over certain executive branch agencies' expenditures of appropriated funds on public relations activities, some of which have been characterized as propagandistic. General speaking, there are two legal restrictions on agency public relations activities and propaganda. 5 U.S.C. 3107 prohibits the use of appropriated funds to hire publicity experts. Appropriations law "publicity propaganda" clauses restrict the use of funds for puffery of an agency, purely partisan communications, and covert propaganda. No federal agency monitors federal public relations activities, but a Member or Committee of Congress may ask the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine an agency's expenditures on public relations activities with a view to their legality. Any effort to reform current statutory restrictions on agency public relations activities will face two challenges: defining "propaganda" and tracking public relations activities by agencies.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.