David Folkenflik

Some Democrats and journalists are raising concerns about a new law they say could give incoming President Donald Trump great propaganda powers abroad, through such famous broadcasters as the Voice of America, Radio Marti and Radio Free Europe.

The law strips away a governing board over the government-funded broadcasters, which are intended to provide reliable news reports in countries without a viable independent media and to promote democratic values abroad. Those outlets instead would answer to a chief executive nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The Obama Administration embraced the changes, promoted by congressional Republicans before the November elections. It was passed by the Republican-controlled House and Senate as part of a much larger and essentially unrelated bill, which awaits Obama's signature or veto.