FEC issues smart decision for political bloggers

Congratulations to the folks at FiredUpAmerica.com for getting an advisory opinion from the U.S. Federal Election Commission granting the website operator a press exception to U.S. federal campaign contribution laws. The exception allows journalists, even partisan ones, to cover and comment on candidates without their positive comments being counted as campaign expenditures.

The FEC based its opinion on the commission's long-standing test: Is the publisher owned or controlled by a candidate or party? Is the publisher's material available to the public and is it similar to other legitimate press entities as described in the commission's regulations?

Newspapers have been endorsing candidates for generations. Opinion journalism is an important part of our business. Would-be Web publishers ought to be encouraged to add their voice to the public debate, and not intimidated by the threat of FEC fines for illegal campaigning. Here's hoping today's ruling does that.

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