There is no such thing as a $500 million American bill for “negative coverage of China”

The bill you’re thinking of is SEC. 30219. SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND COUNTERING DISINFORMATION.

You can read the whole thing here (downloads a PDF).

Guess what, no such clause exists for “negative news coverage of China.”

The exact words are:

Sec. 30219. Supporting independent media and countering disinformation.

Authorizes $500M for the United States Agency for Global Media for ongoing and new programs to support local media, build independent media, combat PRC disinformation inside and outside of China, invest in technology to subvert censorship, and monitor and evaluate these programs.

There are other sections relating to China which you may find interesting:

Sec. 30219A. Global Engagement Center

Authorizes $150M for FY 2022 for the Global Engagement Center to counter foreign state and non-state sponsored propaganda and disinformation.

Sec. 30219B. Report on origins of the COVID–19 pandemic.

Expresses the sense of Congress on the importance of understanding the origins of the COVID–19 pandemic. Directs the President to submit a report that assesses the most likely source or origin of the SARS–CoV–2 virus, the level of confidence in the assessment, and challenges identified to the USG’s ability to make such an assessment.

Sec. 30219D. China Watcher Program.

Creates a “China Watchers” program that designates FSO positions at U.S. posts abroad to assess the PRC’s malign influence in the economic and political sectors.

Sec. 30219E. Liu Xiaobo Fund for Study of the Chinese Language.

Establishes the Liu Xiaobo Fund for Study of the Chinese Language to fund alternatives to Confucius Institutes at U.S. universities.

Sec. 30223. Statement of policy on maritime freedom of operations in international waterways and airspace of the Indo-Pacific and on artificial land features in the South China Sea.

Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress condemns the use of force to impede freedom of navigation operations in the Indo-Pacific region and presents a statement of policy with respect to PRC claims in the South China Sea.

Sec. 30225. Statement of policy regarding the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

States that it is U.S. policy to work with NATO allies to address challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party and share the burden that comes with collective security.

Sec. 30226. Identification of PLA–supported institutions.

Requires the publishing of a list of institutions affiliated with or funded by the PLA.

Yadda yadda yadda you get the idea.

Basically it’s US Congress playing defense. China floods the US with propaganda while censoring the American point of view in China, then the US needs to put more funding into combating PRC state media. China accuses Fort Dertrick of being the origin of covid, then Congress needs to submit a report assessing the likelihood of covid’s origins. China interferes in American politics and commerce, then Congress needs to establish a group of “China watchers” to assess the reach of such interference. China floods the US with Confucius centers, then Congress needs to establish alternative institutes at American universities. China tries to invade and occupy the South China Sea, then we need to express the Congress the importance of countering that. Etc. etc. etc.

I don’t see the problem. Everything in this bill so far concerning China is defensive in nature, not offensive.

Hell, let me play Devil’s Advocate for a second.

Even if Congress approved a bill for “Negative coverage of China,” would that even be a bad thing? Negative coverage is not the same thing as making up “lies” or “slander.” As long as it’s all true, I wouldn’t even have a problem with seeing more negative news coverage of China.

China spends wayyyyy more than a measly $500 million on negative coverage of Western countries, most notably the US.

(Check out Freedom House’s report on China’s Global Media Influence for more information)

Basically it’s a few headlines that decided to call it a “$500 million bill for negative coverage of China” in order to farm clicks. I guess it makes for a more eye-catching headline than “$500 million bill for combating Chinese disinformation.”

I guess the next natural step is to bicker back and forth over what’s disinformation and what’s not. But like… do we have to? You all know what disinformation is. It means lies. “Yeah but who decides what’s the truth and what’s a lie?” will be the next question. The answer: facts. “Yeah but what’s a ‘fact?’” Something that can be demonstrably proven. There. We good?