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house Bill H. Res. 536

Should Congress Support Freedom of the Press in Latin America and the Caribbean?

Argument in favor

As a world leader, the U.S. needs to take a stand in favor of press freedom when it is undermined. It’s a simple gesture, but passing this resolution shows the U.S. supports journalists and the truth.

AndrewGVN's Opinion
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12/16/2015
Freedom of press is a very important thing to have, and America should support the right of freedom of the press. However, I also believe the United States needs to also look at this issue in terms of corrupt media in the United States.
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operaman's Opinion
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12/15/2015
The US should support "freedom of the press." This should not apply to lies or dogma such as communism, Islamic teaching and the blathering of dictators.
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TMGDW's Opinion
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02/09/2016
Freedom of the Press is very important and large part of Freedom of Speech in general. Let's not forget that stateside either.
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Argument opposed

There is not a lot the U.S. can do to ensure that freedom of the press is upheld in Latin American or Caribbean countries. Congress shouldn’t waste its time by bothering with a resolution supporting something it can't impact.

Loraki's Opinion
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04/16/2017
Free press? What's that? Press that's free to publish propaganda pieces and fake news, like the MSM does here in America??? Somebody once said, "Don't believe anything you read or hear, and only half of what you see!" There are plenty of reasons for heeding that advice. I hate to sound so cynical, but the America of today is a far cry from the free America I grew up in in the '50s & '60s! We, as a nation, sure have SCREWED UP, allowing socialism/communism to gain so much credence, acceptance, and power in America! IF OUR SOCIETY HAD ANY SENSE, WE'D TREAT IT LIKE THE MALIGNANT CANCER IT IS! Moreover, I fear that we are making the same mistake with regard to Islamic supremacy HERE IN AMERICA! It, too, is a malignant cancer! If you want further proof that Islam shouldn't be allowed in our country, I urge you to read this: https://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2017/04/16/samir-isis-is-not-outside-islam/
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Steven's Opinion
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01/01/2016
Congress doesn't support freedom of the press here! Look at the temper tantrum the republican presidential candidates had when the press asked them hard questions. Senators and governors for the most part and they banded together to control the venue and only be asked questions they wanted to answer. Try practicing it first then think about preaching it.
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Richard's Opinion
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12/15/2015
While Constitutionally we are supposed to have a free press our mainstream media is so totally biased that it presents only one side. Pravda pales by comparison. How can we tell other countries to do what we can't.
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What is House Bill H. Res. 536?

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for freedom of the press in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also condemns violations of press freedom and violence against journalists. 

Latin American countries and the Caribbean would be urged to implement recommendations from the Organization of American States Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression.

The resolution also urges both the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Dept. of State to assist the media in closed societies to promote a free press. As a simple resolution, this legislation would not be legally binding or advance to the Senate from the House if passed.

Impact

Journalists and members of the media in Latin American or Caribbean countries and the governments of those countries, the State Department, USAID, diplomatic relations between Latin American countries and the U.S. and the House of Representatives.

Cost of House Bill H. Res. 536

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) emphasized the need for a free press in countries where those freedoms and other democratic values have been undermined:

“Freedom of expression is the keystone that holds any democracy together. As a child in Cuba, I witnessed the deterioration of democracy as the Castro regime took over the island and systematically destroyed all aspects of freedom of speech and expression. Being able to speak without censorship is a right that should never be stifled. There is a strong connection between a country’s democratic values and the freedoms afforded to their press. Working to preserve freedom of speech and pushing back against those who seek to quiet their dissenters should be a top priority when engaging with our neighbors in the region.”

This bill has eight cosponsors in the House, including three Democrats and five Republicans. It was unanimously passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee in December 2015.


Of Note: According to Freedom House’s 2015 study on freedom of the press around the world, there are five countries considered to have a “not free” press in Latin America and the Caribbean: Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, and Venezuela. The status of press freedom in Cuba is considered by Freedom House to be among the “worst of the worst,” while more than 185 million people — 19 percent of the population of North and South America — live in countries without a free press.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Flickr user Dying Regime)

Official Title

Supporting freedom of the press in Latin America and the Caribbean and condemning violations of press freedom and violence against journalists, bloggers, and individuals exercising their right to freedom of speech.

simple resolution Progress

  • The house Passed December 16th, 2015
    Roll Call Vote 399 Yea / 2 Nay
      house Committees
      Committee on Foreign Affairs
    IntroducedNovember 19th, 2015
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    AndrewGVN's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    12/16/2015
    Freedom of press is a very important thing to have, and America should support the right of freedom of the press. However, I also believe the United States needs to also look at this issue in terms of corrupt media in the United States.
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    Loraki's Opinion Against
    ···
    04/16/2017
    Free press? What's that? Press that's free to publish propaganda pieces and fake news, like the MSM does here in America??? Somebody once said, "Don't believe anything you read or hear, and only half of what you see!" There are plenty of reasons for heeding that advice. I hate to sound so cynical, but the America of today is a far cry from the free America I grew up in in the '50s & '60s! We, as a nation, sure have SCREWED UP, allowing socialism/communism to gain so much credence, acceptance, and power in America! IF OUR SOCIETY HAD ANY SENSE, WE'D TREAT IT LIKE THE MALIGNANT CANCER IT IS! Moreover, I fear that we are making the same mistake with regard to Islamic supremacy HERE IN AMERICA! It, too, is a malignant cancer! If you want further proof that Islam shouldn't be allowed in our country, I urge you to read this: https://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2017/04/16/samir-isis-is-not-outside-islam/
    Like (13)
    Follow
    Share
    Steven's Opinion Against
    ···
    01/01/2016
    Congress doesn't support freedom of the press here! Look at the temper tantrum the republican presidential candidates had when the press asked them hard questions. Senators and governors for the most part and they banded together to control the venue and only be asked questions they wanted to answer. Try practicing it first then think about preaching it.
    Like (10)
    Follow
    Share
    Richard's Opinion Against
    ···
    12/15/2015
    While Constitutionally we are supposed to have a free press our mainstream media is so totally biased that it presents only one side. Pravda pales by comparison. How can we tell other countries to do what we can't.
    Like (6)
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    Share
    Jeannette 's Opinion Against
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    04/19/2017
    Congress doesn't even support America to have freedom of press. They voted in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 making us no better than North Korea. Our conservative news outlets are under attack by Google, Facebook, and others having their source of revenue destroyed. The only thing Congress is invested in is propaganda. Radio free America is a straight jacket to let us see what they want us to see and hear what they want us to hear. Why support extending their power? Notice how collusion with Russia has vanished or the spying on this administration which is a real crime diverted. Even the Syrian, you can't tell me that our spy satellites tell exactly what happened yet we have to take our intelligence word for it and can't view the footage ourselves! if this is a joke I'm not laughing.
    Like (5)
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    operaman's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    12/15/2015
    The US should support "freedom of the press." This should not apply to lies or dogma such as communism, Islamic teaching and the blathering of dictators.
    Like (5)
    Follow
    Share
    TMGDW's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/09/2016
    Freedom of the Press is very important and large part of Freedom of Speech in general. Let's not forget that stateside either.
    Like (4)
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    BTSundra's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    12/15/2015
    We should take a stand for rights all over the world.
    Like (4)
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    Tina's Opinion Against
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    12/20/2015
    We have totally abandoned free press here in the US. We only have a Corporate controlled propaganda machine, so how can we tout free press to other countries??
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    Anya's Opinion In Favor
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    04/20/2016
    As a Cuban-American, I want Cuba to have freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly and unbiased media. I am wary of U.S. involvement in Cuba, though, because after visiting the island of my parents I realized that Cuba isn't prepared for the influx of tourism or business that Americans want... Obama has already made it clear that the U.S. supports democracy and human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as all around the world. I think that's great, and we should leave the rest to the Cuban people. Let them design their own government while we protect them from outside threats. That's all.
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    Elinor's Opinion Against
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    12/14/2015
    Why should we get involved in other countries' problems? Let the host country nationals deal with their lying reporters, politicians, and the press. NOT OUR BUSINESS!
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    Jorge's Opinion Against
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    04/16/2017
    Why are we worried about Latin America? We need to worry about here in America
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    Delaware57's Opinion Against
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    11/20/2016
    We don't have it here, the controlled media.
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    Jim2423's Opinion Against
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    12/14/2015
    This is one of our problems, trying to push our beliefs on other countries. If they want freedom press then they need to press forward. If a country does not implement freedom of press, are we going embargo them or invade them? No let's mind our own business until we are asked to help.
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    SherryTX's Opinion Against
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    12/15/2015
    How about worrying about the free press here under this administration? They have already shown what happens to reporters that anger them - ask the reporters that were targeted.
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    Philoctetes's Opinion In Favor
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    03/03/2017
    In what world is this even a question? All people, regardless of where they live or what they do for a living, deserve the right to speak their mind. I thought the freedom of the press issue was solved when humans became self aware.
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    Mel's Opinion Against
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    11/30/2016
    What business do we have saying what is or isn't okay in any other countries? Are their legislators incompetent? How would you enforce this? Yet Congress wonders why America is not trusting them? Just look at this piece of junk legislation and you will have your answer. DEAL WITH AMERICAN PROBLEMS FIRST. ONLY WHEN THAT IS DONE SHOULD YOU LOOK OUTSIDE OUR COUNTRY. TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE BEFORE YOU LOOK TO HELP THOSE OUTSIDE OF OUR BORDERS!
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    Paul 's Opinion Against
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    03/29/2017
    Though this bill is good, we need to first have our government advocate for the freedom of the press HERE. Our current Congress and administration essentially squash media sources that tell the truth and allow hearings for those that spew lies on a consistent basis.
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    Ronald's Opinion In Favor
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    12/18/2015
    They should also support it in the USA
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    Daniel's Opinion Against
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    04/05/2017
    We first need to protect our eroding Constitutional rights here. Then we can consider how to be a world leader in proecting human rights.
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