Thursday, March 25, 2004
ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN COMMERCIALS
Very interesting editorial in the Moultrie News this week...since they don't have a web-version, you'll have to trust me in transcribing it:
It's called Letters Policy for Election Year, and beginning "...next week and continuing until the November election, we will not publish letters supporting candidates on any level in our Letters to the Editor section..."
Not a bad policy, but here's the catch: "...If you want to speak your mind in favor of, or against, any candidate, you can do so through a paid letter to the editor. The charge will be $9 per column inch...Please do not interpret this to mean we are discouraging letters to the editor. On the contrary, we welcome letters about the issues. Printing what's on your mind is an important part of our service to the communities we serve..." (emphasis added)
So...campaign finance rules strike too close to the money belt, it seems. But, in light of the new campaign finance rules (McCain-Feingold), I wonder if this amounts to an illegal donation on behalf of a candidate...especially in the 60-day window before a general election? Since you aren't allowed to mention another candidate in that period before the election, you should be prepared to censor yourselves...or find the Feds closing in on you.
Very interesting editorial in the Moultrie News this week...since they don't have a web-version, you'll have to trust me in transcribing it:
It's called Letters Policy for Election Year, and beginning "...next week and continuing until the November election, we will not publish letters supporting candidates on any level in our Letters to the Editor section..."
Not a bad policy, but here's the catch: "...If you want to speak your mind in favor of, or against, any candidate, you can do so through a paid letter to the editor. The charge will be $9 per column inch...Please do not interpret this to mean we are discouraging letters to the editor. On the contrary, we welcome letters about the issues. Printing what's on your mind is an important part of our service to the communities we serve..." (emphasis added)
So...campaign finance rules strike too close to the money belt, it seems. But, in light of the new campaign finance rules (McCain-Feingold), I wonder if this amounts to an illegal donation on behalf of a candidate...especially in the 60-day window before a general election? Since you aren't allowed to mention another candidate in that period before the election, you should be prepared to censor yourselves...or find the Feds closing in on you.
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