Review and Labeling of Foreign Films by the Justice Department
GGD-83-65: Published: May 27, 1983. Publicly Released: Jun 14, 1983.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
In response to a congressional request, GAO addressed several issues surrounding the Department of Justice's authority to identify and label foreign films as propaganda.
Justice's authority for these actions is derived from the enforcement powers it receives under the Foreign Agents' Registration Act of 1938 and its amendments. Under the act, political propaganda includes written and visual communications intended to influence public opinion regarding the U.S. Government's foreign or domestic policies. The act requires that such material distributed by a registered foreign agent be labeled and a dissemination report filed, and Justice regulations require that foreign agents provide it with lists of organizations that have shown the films. GAO noted that determinations regarding a film's content are made by paralegals and attorneys and that estimated costs represent about 5 to 10 percent of the unit's expenditures. From 1980 through 1982, the unit reviewed 27 films and labeled 11 as propaganda.
Jun 28, 2018
U.S. Postal Service:
Projected Capital Spending and Processes for Addressing Uncertainties and RisksGAO-18-515: Published: Jun 28, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 2018.
Jun 21, 2018
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-18-299SP: Published: Jun 21, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 21, 2018.
Apr 3, 2018
-
Defense Budget:
Actions Needed to Improve the Management of Foreign Currency FundsGAO-18-221: Published: Apr 3, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 3, 2018.
Feb 6, 2018
-
Budget Issues:
Continuing Resolutions and Other Budget Uncertainties Present Management ChallengesGAO-18-368T: Published: Feb 6, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 6, 2018.
Oct 12, 2017
-
Public Relations Spending:
Selected Agencies' Activities Supported by Contracts and Public Affairs StaffGAO-17-711: Published: Sep 12, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 12, 2017.
Oct 2, 2017
-
U.S. Territories:
Public Debt OutlookGAO-18-160: Published: Oct 2, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 2, 2017.
Sep 20, 2017
-
Budget Issues:
Budget Uncertainty and Disruptions Affect Timing of Agency SpendingGAO-17-807T: Published: Sep 20, 2017. Publicly Released: Sep 20, 2017.
May 3, 2017
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-17-579T: Published: May 3, 2017. Publicly Released: May 3, 2017.
Jan 18, 2017
-
Overseas Contingency Operations:
OMB and DOD Should Revise the Criteria for Determining Eligible Costs and Identify the Costs Likely to Endure Long TermGAO-17-68: Published: Jan 18, 2017. Publicly Released: Jan 18, 2017.
Jan 17, 2017
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-17-237SP: Published: Jan 17, 2017. Publicly Released: Jan 17, 2017.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Budget and Spending
Explore our other Key Issues here
