News services with foreign government backing would face independence tests

Federal law would classify covered news services as foreign agents, a category under federal registration law. This covers news and press services operating in the United States with any direct or indirect foreign government ownership, control, or funding. To avoid this classification, the foreign country's law must let the service take positions against the government backing it. The service must also prove full editorial independence to the Attorney General's satisfaction.

The Attorney General would report to Congress each year. The list would cover foreign media outlets operating in the United States with any direct or indirect foreign government ownership, control, or funding. Each entry would state whether the outlet is registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and explain why if it is not.