D.C. Circuit Weakens Campaign Ad Regs

DC CIRCUIT WEAKENS CAMPAIGN AD REGS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In a decision that could free up even more campaign money for broadcasters [Yeah! Another reason to believe in Christmas!], a three-judge panel of the D.C. Court of Appeals has ruled that regulations prohibiting electioneering communications in the run-up to general federal elections and primaries do not necessarily apply to ads that mention candidates. That could pave the way for more campaign TV and radio advertising from unions and corporations [yes, those underrepresented organizations that our campaign laws need to protect]. The Supreme Court had upheld the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002’s authority to regulate electioneering communications, so-called advocacy ads that expressly advocate the election of a particular candidate. But it had left open the question of whether those regulations applied to ads that, even though they mentioned a candidate, were found to be promoting an issue rather than a candidate.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6402213.html?display=Breaking+News

* Court Overturns Limits on Political Ads, Part of the Campaign Finance Law
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/22/washington/22campaign.html

* Issue Advocacy Ads May Run During an Election, Three-Judge Court Rules
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/21/AR2006122101636.html

* Judges lift restriction on ads near elections
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20061222/a_capcol22.art.htm

* Ruling weakens law's limits on corporate political ads
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-ads22dec22,1,6924070.story?coll=la-news-a_section

* Ruling May Allow Room for Campaign TV and Radio Ad From Corporations and Unions
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6402220.html?display=Breaking+News