From the Hotline

By Teri Henning
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: What disclaimers must appear in political ads?

A: The rules differ, depending upon whether the ad relates to a federal election or an election for state or local office. 

The rules listed below relate to federal elections and ads. You can find specific information relating to state and local elections by following this link.

Under the federal rules, political committees must include a clear and conspicuous disclaimer on all "public communications" (e.g., TV and radio ads, newspaper, magazine or outdoor advertising). Public communications financed by individuals or other organizations must include a disclaimer if the communication expressly advocates a candidate's election or defeat or solicits funds. The necessary disclaimer varies, depending upon who places the ad. The general rules are as follows:

Messages authorized and financed by a candidate:

On public communications that are authorized and paid for by a candidate or his/her campaign committee, the disclaimer notice must identify who paid for the message. Example “Paid for by the Smith for Congress Committee.”

Messages authorized but not financed by a candidate:

On public communications that are authorized by a candidate or his/her campaign committee, but paid for by another person, the disclaimer notice must identify who paid for the ad and state that the candidate authorized the message. Example: “Paid for by ABC State Party Committee and authorized by the Smith for Congress Committee.”

Messages not authorized by a candidate:

On public communications that are not authorized by a candidate or his/her campaign committee, the diclaimer notice must identify who paid for the message, state that it was not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee, and list the permanent street address, telephone number or World Wide Web address of the person who paid for the communication. Example: “Paid for by the ABC Committee www.ABCcommittee.org and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.”

Placement, Size Requirements for Disclaimers:

The disclaimer notice must be “clear and conspicuous” on the ad. It must appear within a printed box set apart from the other contents in the ad. The print must be of a sufficient type-size to be clearly readable by the reader, and the print must have a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations contain a “safe harbor” that establishes a fixed, 12-point type size as a sufficient type size for disclaimer text in newspapers and other printed communications that are no larger than common poster size (24” x 36”). Disclaimers for larger communications are judged on a case-by-case basis.

For more information, please see http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/notices.shtml 

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