The Federal Election Commission is taking a significant step toward regulating digital political ads, taking up a measure to force disclosure of paid advertising on leading social and streaming platforms, according to documents posted by the FEC.
FEC Wants To Change TV Political Disclosures
The Federal Election Commission has its own rules for political advertising that are binding on the candidates, rather than on the stations. But because these ads run on broadcast stations, stations need to pay attention to them to avoid getting caught up in arguments about whether candidate ads are legal, and because the FEC rules often get adopted by the FCC. For these reasons, broadcasters need to pay attention to an entry in today’s Federal Register, where the FEC gives notice of its receipt of a Petition for Rulemaking proposing changes to the textual disclosures made in TV political ads.
A U.S. District Court judge ruled Monday that the country’s top election watchdog misinterpreted campaign finance law when it dismissed a progressive group’s complaints against two conservative organizations.
The Federal Election Commission has quietly given the green light to federal candidates who want to solicit contributions for super PACs by meeting in small groups — so small that there can be just two other people in the room. In addition, the little-noticed advisory opinion gives permission to a candidate’s campaign consultant and other aides to solicit large donations for a super PAC, as long as they make clear that they are not making the request at the direction of the candidate.
The comedian disclosed today that his Americans for a Better Tomorrow “super” political action committee has raised a staggering $1.02 million. PACs were required to submit their financial reports to the Federal Election Commission today. In a letter to the commission, Colbert was quoted as saying, “How you like me now, FEC?”
Exclusives
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Election Commission said Thursday that comedian Stephen Colbert can use his TV show’s resources to boost his political action committee, but he must disclose some […]
WASHINGTON (AP) — Comedy Central’s tongue-in-check commentator Stephen Colbert is expected to raise serious questions at next week’s meeting of the Federal Election Commission. “The Colbert Report” star is launching […]
