DOD is proposing revisions to implement requirements of Section 1257 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.  The statute prohibits assistance to entertainment projects that have complied or are likely to comply with a demand from the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or an entity under the direction of the PRC or the CCP, to censor the content of the project in a material manner to advance the national interest of the PRC. 

This rule informs producers and production companies that request DOD assistance about the procedures needed to implement the restrictions imposed by Section 1257.  It includes a discussion of the information the Department will use to determine whether to assist or continue to assist an entertainment project.  It also describes the DOD proposed certification process and includes two updated sample Production Assistance Agreements implementing Section 1257 provisions.  

As part of DOD’s public participation plan, the Office ofthe Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs plans to reach out to the community of motion picture, television, and documentary production companies and producers, who are primarily affected by this rule. These conversations will continue throughout the rulemaking process to ensure DoD receives comprehensive stakeholder feedback.