Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 4.djvu/809

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PUBLIC LAW 105-277—OCT. 21, 1998 112 STAT. 2681-780 " (d) PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENCE OF BROADCASTERS.— The Secretary of State and the Board, in carrying out their functions, shall respect the professional independence and integrity of the International Broadcasting Bureau, its broadcasting services, and the grantees of the Board.". (j) FOREIGN POLICY GUIDANCE. —Section 306 (22 U.S.C. 6205) is amended— (1) in the section heading, by striking "FOREIGN POLICY GUIDANCE" and inserting "ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE"; (2) by inserting "(a) FOREIGN POLICY GUIDANCE. —" immediately before "To"; (3) by striking "State, acting through the Director of the United States Information Agency," and inserting "State"; (4) by inserting before the period at the end the following: ", as the Secretary may deem appropriate"; and (5) by adding at the end the following: "(b) CERTAIN WORLDNET PROGRAMMING. — The Secretary of State is authorized to use Worldnet broadcasts for the purposes of continuing interactive dialogues with foreign media and other similar overseas public diplomacy programs sponsored by the Department of State. The Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall provide access to Worldnet for this purpose on a nonreimbursable basis.". (k) INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING BUREAU. —Section 307 (22 U.S.C. 6206) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking "within the United States Information Agency" and inserting "under the Board"; (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking "Chairman of the Board, in consultation with the Director of the United States Information Agency and with the concurrence of a majority of the Board" and inserting "President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate"; (3) by redesignating subsection (b)(1) as subsection (b); (4) by striking subsection (b)(2); and (5) by adding at the end the following new subsection: "(c) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR. —The Director shall organize and chair a coordinating committee to examine and make recommendations to the Board on long-term strategies for the future of international broadcasting, including the use of new technologies, further consolidation of broadcast services, and consolidation of currently existing public affsdrs and legislative relations functions in the various international broadcasting entities. The coordinating committee shall include representatives of Radio Free Asia, RFE/ RL, Incorporated, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and, as appropriate, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, the Voice of America, and Worldnet.". (1) REPEALS. — The following provisions of law are repealed: (1) Subsections (k) and (1) of section 308 (22 U.S.C. 6207 (k),(l)). (2) Section 310 (22 U.S.C. 6209). SEC. 1324. AMENDMENTS TO THE RADIO BROADCASTING TO CUBA ACT. The Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465 et seq.) is amended—