The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act

The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act, also known as the Smith-Mundt Act, is a piece of legislation that was passed by the United States Congress in 2012. The act was designed to update and modernize the 1948 Smith-Mundt Act, which had established a legal framework for the U.S. government's overseas propaganda efforts. 

The original Smith-Mundt Act was passed in the aftermath of World War II and was designed to create a legal basis for the United States government to engage in public diplomacy efforts, including the spread of information to promote American values and interests abroad, or propaganda for short. The act was also designed to counter propaganda and disinformation from foreign countries, particularly the Soviet Union.

Before the act was modernized, the United States government was not allowed to peddle propaganda directly toward its citizens. But after, they have full reign to do whatever they feel is necessary to make the public feel how they want them to. The main way they now push propaganda toward us is through news outlets. 

The first attempt by the United States Government to persuade us into a certain way of thinking was during the Cold War. It lives in infamy known as "Operation Mockingbird." It involved the U.S. Government and the CIA recruiting journalists and making them write pro-government propaganda pieces. Initially, this was an attempt to counter Soviet propaganda, but it escalated to the point where the government was just spooling out pro-US propaganda even if what they were saying was false or misleading. There was an investigation into "Operation Mockingbird" and it was concluded that what had transpired was wildly illegal and was considered a violation of the first amendment and more importantly a violation of public trust. 

Interestingly enough, this modernized act was a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) and Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-TX). That surprises me but also doesn't at the same time. It surprises me because as a conservative, I find it hard to believe that Republicans would vote in favor of the manipulation of the media for their political gain. On the other hand, they're all politicians, so they will do everything in their power to remain in power. 

This act affects every single person in this country. It does not discriminate at all. If you have access to social media, news outlets, or any other source of media, you will be targeted with pro-government propaganda. Some news outlets, specifically ones that side with the political party of the current president, will peddle incredible amounts of that kind of propaganda. The opposite also takes place, those news outlets that are not in the party of the sitting president then they will peddle a lot of anti-government propaganda. 

In conclusion, this act, in my opinion, is a violation of our first amendment rights and we should not trust our news outlets fully. We never know when we are being swayed to think a certain way and we must be vigilant and thorough when collecting information about government action.