Fourth Circuit rejects FCC's claim that ad discount applies to parties
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that the FCC's public notice mistakenly extended the lowest-price advertising rule to political parties and joint fundraising committees, limiting it to candidates only.
In a recent decision, the Fourth Circuit concluded that the FCC erred when it issued a spring notice suggesting its rate-discount policy covered parties and joint fundraising committees. The court emphasized that the statutory language confines the discount to candidates during the 45-day pre-primary and 60-day pre-general election windows. Consequently, the agency's broader interpretation was dismissed as ineffective. The ruling underscores the narrow scope of the FCC's broadcast advertising requirements.
Why it matters
It limits the FCC's ability to force broadcasters to give discounted ads to parties, affecting campaign advertising costs.
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