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« Sustain the Brand | Main | The Power of Mail Order » April 16, 2008The Blogger Protection Act of 2008New legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, would protect bloggers from Federal Election Commission restrictions. The "Blogger Protection Act of 2008," (H.R.5699) would give bloggers permanent protection from FEC campaign laws when linking to campaign Web sites or editorializing about candidates. The Libertarian Party loves the Republican's legislation - and bloggers: "These guys really don't get the credit they deserve for all the work they've done to create accountability and transparency in American politics," says Andrew Davis, national media coordinator for the Libertarian Party. "Often, bloggers are the first to expose politicians for lying and corruption, and hold all politicians to a new level of accountability that would have been impossible only a few years ago. They fully deserve the same protection from government interference that is given to traditional media outlets."The FEC granted bloggers protection two years ago from regulations that potentially could have defined bloggers' linking to a campaign Web site or editorializing about a candidate a campaign contribution or expenditure. Hensarling's legislation would make those regulatory protections statutory. The legislation has 37 co-sponsors, Posted in Blogging
Comments
Are there any exceptions for candidates that pay bloggers to write certain things or set up blogs with the mask of being an independent blogger? I'm just afraid candidates and political parties might use such legislation in the future as a loophole through campaign laws. Posted by: MRT at April 16, 2008 1:24 PMCampaign finance laws still apply to the candidates/campaigns regarding reporting expenditures. This legislation is about ensuring that bloggers who blog about a campaign don't have to register with and file reports to the FEC. Posted by: Bill Hobbs at April 16, 2008 1:40 PMPost a comment
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