§398 Military information support operations in information environment

Summary

Requires the Secretary of Defense to tell the congressional defense committees in writing within 48 hours after a combatant commander approves a new military information support operation plan (MISO plan) or changes the scope of an existing one. The notice must say what MISO program the plan supports, the plan’s goals, who the plan targets, the tactics to be used, which people are involved, the money expected to be spent in the current and next fiscal years, how long the plan should run and the desired result, and any other items the Secretary thinks are needed. If a secret MISO is leaked, the Secretary must notify the committees as soon as possible; a verbal notice is allowed but must be followed by written notice within 48 hours. Within 90 days after a fiscal year ends, the Secretary must send a report listing each MISO program and its responsible combatant command and, for each plan, a description and objectives, the target audience and how messages were distributed, and the cost. Department of Defense funds cannot be used for secret MISO that is meant to influence any U.S. political process, the opinions of United States persons, U.S. policies, or media made by U.S. entities for United States persons.