Broadcasters group opposes ad-rate language in Dems' campaign finance bill

The powerful lobbying arm of TV and radio broadcasters opposes language tucked into the Senate Democrats' campaign finance bill unveiled earlier this week.

While most of the bill is devoted to forcing corporations, unions and other groups to disclose any spending on political advertising, another provision would force television broadcasters to sell advertising to political parties at the lowest rate available for the particular media market where they are purchasing the ads. Federal candidates already have the right to the lowest broadcast advertising rates available during the time they want to purchase. The new campaign finance bill would allow political parties to take advantage of the same rate guarantees as long as they spend at least $50,000 on airtime to run ads on broadcast, cable or satellite television that support or oppose a candidate. Under the law, the broadcaster would also ensure that the candidate or political entity has "reasonable access" during "non-preemptible" airtime.