WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today reported by unanimous consent S. 967, the “Prepackaged News Story Announcement Act of 2005,” introduced by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.).

The legislation requires that all prepackaged, government-produced news stories - which are designed to be indistinguishable from those created by independent news organizations - include disclaimers notifying the audience that the government produced or funded the news segment.

The Committee unanimously approved a substitute amendment, negotiated by Senators Lautenberg, Kerry and Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, that includes the following provisions:

· Establishes that prepackaged news stories produced by the government must include a clear notification to the audience that the United States Government prepared or funded the segment.

· Defines “prepackaged news story” as a complete, ready-to-use audio or video news segment designed to be indistinguishable from those produced by an independent news organization.

· Instructs the FCC to determine the circumstances under which the disclaimer may be removed or modified.

· Clarifies that the bill’s provisions do not apply to the government’s authorized, legal intelligence activities.

Click here for a copy of the bill as reported.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for its consideration.