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Election Commission Takes a Light Touch With Net Regs

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the shuffling-paperwork dept.

CNet is reporting that the Federal Election Commission released a 96-page volume of internet regulations last Friday. From the article: "The rules [PDF] say that paid Web advertising, including banner ads and sponsored links on search engines, will be regulated like political advertising in other types of media. They also say bloggers can enjoy the freedoms of traditional news organizations when endorsing a candidate or engaging in political speech.

3 of 102 comments (clear)

  1. How nice of them. by rebeka+thomas · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They also say bloggers can enjoy the freedoms of traditional news organizations when endorsing a candidate or engaging in political speech.

    Aren't we lucky, they're so gracious as to allow us our constitutionally protected free speech. Like they had a choice.

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    RST
    1. Re:How nice of them. by Pharmboy · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Aren't we lucky, they're so gracious as to allow us our constitutionally protected free speech. Like they had a choice.

      But by "giving" us the right, they reserve their right to take it away in the future, if the right is "abused". So they have set a precident that may come in handy in the future, as long as those nasty courts don't interfere.

      Fortunately for them, by the time a court interferes, the election would likely be over, rendering the point moot for that election season, and giving them the opportunity to create a differently worded "right of speach". Rinse, repeat.

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      Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
  2. checks and balances by jheath314 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How the hell did this get modded insightful?

    The SCOTUS isn't there to punish unconstitutional policy, just block it. Accountability should come only through elections. If we equated getting overruled by the courts with treason, that would destroy the system of checks and balances by elevating the courts to a position similar to the Iranian "Council of Guardians." There's simply no way such a system wouldn't be abused: imagine what a court stuffed with Republican appointees would do to a Democrat president, or vice versa.

    Ironic how your post about respecting the Constitution reveals a very basic incomprehension about how the system created by that Constitution actually works.

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    Procrastination Man strikes again!