The FEC’s debate over Blogging.
Today’s Washington Post has an article about the debate over regulating blogging. FEC Hears Bloggers' Bid to Share Media Exemption By Brian Faler does a good job of giving an overview of the issue.
I only wish the paper would do a better job of explaining Carol Darr’s opinion. She contributed to Putting Online Influentials to Work for Your Campaign.
As we study using the “New Media” as a political tool, I think it is important to remember that this media is so “New” that it will probable change significantly in the next five to ten years.
These Bloggers are by definition Influentials. Should it matter that they are just congregating in one place to discuss their political views?
This is like saying a coffee house that is frequented by liberal thinkers is actually supporting the liberal agenda. This is too large a intellectual leap for even the Right Wing Conservative Conspiracy to make. Well, maybe…
But before anyone starts attacking my position, let me say that I have not been able to study this enough yet. I welcome input from everyone out there. Please help educate me on this issue.
I only wish the paper would do a better job of explaining Carol Darr’s opinion. She contributed to Putting Online Influentials to Work for Your Campaign.
As we study using the “New Media” as a political tool, I think it is important to remember that this media is so “New” that it will probable change significantly in the next five to ten years.
These Bloggers are by definition Influentials. Should it matter that they are just congregating in one place to discuss their political views?
This is like saying a coffee house that is frequented by liberal thinkers is actually supporting the liberal agenda. This is too large a intellectual leap for even the Right Wing Conservative Conspiracy to make. Well, maybe…
But before anyone starts attacking my position, let me say that I have not been able to study this enough yet. I welcome input from everyone out there. Please help educate me on this issue.
2 Comments:
The major campaign finance legislation pending in both the House and Senate applies a broad exemption to internet activity, and if enacted will take the issue out of the FEC's hands (hopefully).
Basically, "public communications" is the term that is used to group certain campaign activities in order to regulate them. The pending legislation clarifies the definition of Public Communication to add that "such term shall not include communications over the internet."
This article is a good critique of the bloggers positon, and why Carol Darr is so concerned with offering the media exemption to all bloggers.
Post a Comment
<< Home