FEC Protects Political Activity on the Internet

Alliance for Justice applauds the Federal Election Commission’s unanimous rulemaking yesterday regarding Internet communications. In a move supportive of free speech and civic engagement, the FEC has largely taken a “hands off” approach toward the regulation of political activity on the Internet. The FEC’s rulemaking will leave nearly all political activity on the Internet unregulated except for paid political advertisements placed on third-party websites.

Last June, Alliance for Justice submitted comments to the FEC asking the agency to leave the Internet largely unregulated. We believe the FEC’s action today is both consistent with current campaign finance law and narrowly tailored to ensure that the Internet remains a vibrant forum for political debate.

For details about the FEC’s rulemaking, including a summary of the new rule, visit the FEC website.

Remember, while 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for public office, nonprofit employees are free to engage in partisan political activities as individuals. For more information, see Alliance for Justice’s fact sheets on nonprofit and individual political activities. 

For more information related to this topic or other Alliance for Justice issues related to nonprofit and foundation advocacy, please visit http://allianceforjustice.org/blog/.