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Can US media accept advertisements from foreign state-affiliated entities?

Saturday, November 28, 2020
By Esther Tsvayg
YES

Federal law allows foreign-government entities to advertise in U.S. media, provided that they avoid ads or endorsements related to U.S. elections. They must register as foreign agents with the Department of Justice, and disclose relationships and receipts. As agents, they must have "conspicuous" disclosure labels on any "informational materials."

The Justice Department has stepped up enforcement efforts against China- and Russia-run state media outlets in recent years to be sure they register if they "target an audience here for purposes of perception management or to influence U.S. policy."

China Daily, an English-language newspaper owned by the Chinese Communist Party's public relations department, is registered as a purchaser of advertising campaigns in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and Foreign Policy.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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