Most Online Activities Exempt from Campaign-Finance Limits

New Federal Election Commission rules regulate only paid political Internet ads

Regulatory changes intended to "ensure that political committees properly finance and disclose their Internet communications" while protecting the right of individuals to exercise free speech on the Internet were adopted by the U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC) April 12.

The rule-making action, unanimously approved March 27, continues to exempt most political Internet activity from federal campaign-finance laws. However, paid advertisements placed on the Internet will be subject to regulation under the Federal Election Campaign Finance Act.

Internet weblogs - or blogs - and other online sources such as e-mail and Web sites are becoming increasingly important campaign tools in the lead-up to the November elections, when the entire U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of U.S. Senate seats are before the voters. (See related article.)

According to the FEC ruling, "the Commission recognizes the Internet as a unique and evolving mode of mass communication and political speech that is distinct from other media in a manner that warrants a restrained regulatory approach."

Federal campaign-finance laws authorize restrictions on money spent by federal candidates on campaign ads. Prior to this rule-making action, FEC regulations had not addressed political activity on the Internet.

"The exemption in the final rules protects Internet activities by individuals in all forms, including e-mailing, linking, blogging or hosting a Web site," said FEC Chairman Michael E. Toner. "The final rules recognize that the online political speech of individuals should not be restricted by the Commission in any way, and I strongly support this result."

Source: U.S. Department of State

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