Blogging may be Imperiled by Federal Election Commission

Readers of this Blog have seen how I have written about, and commented on, issues, and events, affecting cycling, and the perception of cyclists.

You have seen how I link to the Congressional Bicycle Caucus, and to stories about laws affecting Bicycling, and Bicyclists.

But what if my ability to do so freely, without un-needed regulation,  and government rules, was severely impeded?

The "Political" Bloggerverse, and those in the "I write about everything that interests me" contingent ( such as my other Blog, Sneakeasy's Joint ) is in an uproar over certain recent events, and their implications for the future, and this is just as important to "Niche" Blogs such as this one.

So, please, read on...

FEC Commissioner Bradley Smith recently made some comments hinting at a "crackdown" on Bloggers, and Online Journalists:

Bradley Smith says that the freewheeling days of political blogging and online punditry are over.

In just a few months, he warns, bloggers and news organizations could risk the wrath of the federal government if they improperly link to a campaign's Web site. Even forwarding a political candidate's press release to a mailing list, depending on the details, could be punished by fines.

This has enormous implications for all of us, from the least political to the most active because it could eventually affect anything we write about, or link to.

As he says:

The real question is: Would a link to a candidate's page be a problem? If someone sets up a home page and links to their favorite politician, is that a contribution?

Do we give bloggers the press exemption? If we don't give bloggers the press exemption, we have the question of, do we extend this to online-only journals like CNET?

Many of us, even among certain "Niche" Blogs have a link list of websites of political parties, and even Government Agencies.

Many of us pontificate about the issues with links galore, and exerpts of articles, and speeches. ( As I explore the Bike Caucus, and reports on laws, this will occur a lot )

How can the Government, Republican, or Democrat, Liberal, or Conservative, put monetary values on links, much less personal opinion?

Why would they want to?

When asked what he'd like to see happen he says:

I'd like someone to say that unpaid activity over the Internet is not an expenditure or contribution, or at least activity done by regular Internet journals, to cover sites like CNET, Slate and Salon. Otherwise, it's very likely that the Internet is going to be regulated, and the FEC and Congress will be inundated with e-mails saying, "How dare you do this!"

Read the whole interview with CNET.

A PLEDGE: If the FEC makes rules that limit my First Amendment right to express my opinion on core political issues, I will not obey those rules.

I have added my voice to the rising tide of Bloggers, and Online Journalists, who are indignantly saying, "How dare you consider this! What is going on here?"

There is a group, just formed, that makes the term "Blogging can make for strange bedfellows" come alive,  and displays, as I try to show with my Sneak's Wide World of Blogging series,  on the Joint, the variety of Blogs that are out there:

THE ONLINE COALITON: From Left to Right, preserve our rights.

We as a truly bipartisan coalition of members of the online journalism, blogging, and advertising community, decided to write an open letter to the FEC voicing our concerns.

The Letter is an amazing document addressed to Scott E. Thomas, Chairman of the FEC,

It deals with the "Upcoming FEC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking governing political activity on the internet" and starts off with a very simple concern:

One area of great concern is the potential regulation of bloggers and other online journalists who distribute political news and commentary exclusively over the web. While paid political advertising on the Internet should remain subject to FEC rules and regulations, curtailing blogs and other online publications will dampen the impact of new voices in the political process and will do a disservice to the millions of voters who rely on the web for original, insightful political commentary.

Under the current rules, “any news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication,” is exempt from reporting and coordination requirements. It is not clear, however, that the FEC’s “media exemption” provides sufficient protection for those of us in the online journalism community.

We believe we should receive the same Federal Election Commission "Media Exemption" as the Mainstream Media, and that there should be a clarification of various rules, and regulations.

Online Political Activism is the new Town Hall, and the public, the media, and the Politicians, from the local, to the national level, are taking notice of us, and responding in a wholeheartedly accepting way.

So many stories, and so much information, has been made available, that otherwise might not have seen the light of day, that has helped the ordinary American understand what is going on in the world around him or her, and prepared them to make informed decisions on the issues, that any attempt to curb the freedom of dissimination of information, and the expression of opinion, is disturbing to contemplate.

If they regulate Blogs will they then go after Message Boards, and Discussion Forums?

My concern is simple: Read my archives, look at my collection of links. On this blog, and my other one, Sneakeasy's Joint. How would my Blogging be affected if there is a "Crackdown" by the Government on what I can do, and say?

Bloggers are good self-regulators, and do a good job, and entertaining job, of "Fisking", or otherwise watching, and debating, each others work without the intervention of Government regulation to force rules down our throats.

If you are a Blogger, or Online Journalist, no matter the subject, or the obscurity of your site, PLEASE read the full letter, and seriously consider joining me, and thousands of others, in signing it.

If we are not vigilant then the Blogosphere could be irreparably harmed, and its continuing evolution, growth, and popularity, curbed to the detriment of not just American Bloggers, but the world at large.

Freedom of Speech, Press, and Assembly ARE IMPORTANT.

Like the all important act of Voting ( You DO vote right? Umm...Right? ), where, when someone is voted in, or a law is passed that you don't like, if you didn't vote then you shouldn't complain, then, if you are alarmed about potential FEC regulation of bloggers and personal activity on the Internet, and you don't speak up now then...

The Online Coalition Blog has links to 2 important speeches that are must reads:

One by FEC Chairman Thomas, and one by Blogger Extraordinaire Glen Reynolds, the Instapundit.

Coverage at Wizbang's Place.

Patrick, of Patterico's Pontifications, who like me with my other Blog is a member of the Bear Flag League, has been one among many who have done a great service by spreading the word on the stories other bloggers are writing on this issue, and his comment section, and Trackback section, for his piece has a ton of more such links.

Read: Bloggers are taking the Free Speech Pledge.