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Give the FEC some comments folks!
FEC may impose new rules on bloggers
BY DAWN WITHERS
Chicago Tribune
WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Web loggers, who pride themselves on freewheeling political activism, may soon face new federal rules on candidate endorsements, online fundraising and political ads - though bloggers who don't take money from political groups would not be affected.
Draft rules from the Federal Election Commission, which enforces campaign finance laws and is haltingly moving toward regulating how campaign money is spent on the Internet, would require that paid political advertisements on the Internet declare who funded the ad, much as political television spots do now.
Similar disclaimers would be placed on political Web sites, as well as on e-mails sent to people on purchased lists containing more than 500 addresses. The FEC is also considering whether to require web loggers, or bloggers, to disclose whether they get money from a campaign committee or a candidate, and to reveal whether they are being paid to write about certain candidates or solicit contributions on their behalf.
These rules would not affect citizens who don't take money from political action committees or parties.
The FEC is accepting public comments on the proposals until Friday, and hearings will be held June 28 and 29.
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