FCC providing Information on Secret Campaign Funding
Beginning August 2nd, anyone will be able to go to the FCC website and get information on political TV ads — who paid for the ads and how much they spent. So far this FCC rule only covers the four major networks — CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox — and not cable stations. But it’s a start.
The FCC made this ruling last April. First, House Republicans tried to stop the FCC from doing this; and then the National Association of Broadcasters filed a lawsuit for an emergency stay against the FCC action. The broadcasters’ lawsuit is still pending but a federal judge refused to grant the emergency stay. So we’re on.
Finally, we’ll be able to lift up the rock and take a good look at what sort of slippery creatures are squiggling and squirming underneath it.
posted by Tom Harper @ 9:25 PM
6 Comments:
If I'm not mistaken they only have to identify the organizations making the ads and not the actual contributors. So there's still a veil of secrecy here.
You will note that the GOP has already started their lie campaign here. And boy am I sick of the "clean" energy ads cough cough from the oil and coal industries.
Yes, we'll learn about the front groups called "Real Americans for smart regulations", "Campaign for a Free Market", and "Americans for Prosperity"...oops that one really exists.
My question is -
Why not Cable?
Erik
If I remember right, one of the major talking points the conservatives had for allowing unlimited cash for campaigns was that transparency would mitigate all evils.
And they're right, it would have helped. My bad for not noticing that they weren't actually advocating transparency.
Makes me glad that I mostly avoid media outlets where one is likely to see this kind of tripe.
Demeur, Dave: I don't know the details, but I think actual people's names will have to be disclosed. I guess we'll find out in a few days.
Erik: Good question. I hope cable will be next and they're just doing this incrementally.
Murr: They voted for transparency before they voted against it.
JR: Washington isn't a swing state, so I haven't seen any presidential TV ads yet. The ads for statewide offices have been pretty easy-going so far; I'm sure that'll change.
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