Reply #38: Editorial: FEC Inches Toward Net Regulation [View All]

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EDITORIAL: FEC inches toward Net regulation

(Northwest Florida Daily News (Fort Walton Beach) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Apr. 8--The Federal Election Commission has been widely hailed for a recent decision that, to a great extent, keeps the Internet free of federal campaign regulations. Although the new rule is not as onerous as some that had been considered, it does interject federal regulation into one aspect of Internet political activity, which could serve as a precedent for future regulation.


As a regulation of an independent agency, the new rule is subject to change, especially in response to litigation, which is how this one came into being. If the Internet is to remain free of intrusive federal regulation, it is important for Congress to act. A majority is ready, but will the leadership cooperate?

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To its credit, the Federal Election Commission ruled with a light hand. It exempts bloggers and other individuals politicking on the Web, including linking to other sites and even e-mailing in coordination with an official campaign, from any FEC regulation. It did so by extending the exemption from campaign finance laws that traditional media, such as newspapers, radio and TV stations, now enjoy.

But the FEC also said that paid Web advertising, including banner ads and sponsored links on search engines, can be regulated like political advertising in other forms of media. This precedent could lead to further regulation of political speech on the Internet.

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http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/04/08/1554067.htm