WASHINGTON, March 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Federal Election Commission has taken steps to control paid political ads on the Internet but making individual Web activity free from restrictions.
The FEC voted unanimously Monday to define paid political ads on the Internet as "public communication," The Hill, a Washington newspaper reported. The action puts third-party ads on Web sites under campaign finance rules and limitations.
The decision could be over-ridden, however, by legislation before Congress that also concerns political communications on the Internet, The Hill said. A House measure, sponsored by Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, could be voted on this week and would exclude all Internet communication from "public communication" label.
The FEC said media-related Web sites -- both traditional media and online only -- are exempt from campaign-finance restrictions. The "exemption for individual Internet activity in the final rules is categorical and unqualified," the FEC said.
An unnamed Republican leadership aide told The Hill the FEC actions don't go far enough in protecting free speech and said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, planned to push for the Hensarling bill.
