The proposed FEC regulation is here:
Under the proposal, a political ad paid for by a Web site operator and displayed on a different site would be considered a "public communication" subject to campaign finance controls. Internet material would otherwise be excluded from the definition of a public communication for regulatory purposes, Toner said.
News stories, commentaries and editorials appearing on Web sites would not be considered a contribution subject to limits.
The commission also proposed an exemption for individuals using their own computer or one at a public place, such as a library, for Internet activities.
It sought public comment on whether bloggers who are paid by candidates should or could be required to disclose these payments or have a disclaimer.
How to submit public comment seems a tad more obscure. As far as I can tell, comments are not open until April and when they open, they will be here.
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Article comments
1 - RJ
Honestly, this does not seem terribly draconian to me.
What am I missing?
2 - gonzo marx
now this is opening a whole can of wyrms..
i tend to like the exception for folks using their own computers...this would seem to allow Citizens to express their own viewpoints..
on the other hand...i have a visceral reaction against ANY thought of a regulatory hand touching internet Content in ANY way shape or form..
the rationale of the FCC regulating the airwaves "in the public interest" comes to mind..ie:CENSORSHIP...
to me, the Net remains the culmination of the potential expressed by the first printing press...the possibility of ANYONE getting ANYTHING to ANY reader...unencumbered by church or state or any other busybody halfwit that derives some sick Joy in stifling free discourse and expression
but that's just my one sixth billionths of the World's Opinion..
what's yours?
Excelsior!
3 - Dave Nalle
I don't like the idea of the FEC getting involved in the internet, but this doesn't sound all that unreasonable.
Dave