The Internet may not be what it's supposed to be when it comes to electoral politics - yet. And that may be one key reason why the Federal Election Commission says be very careful about regulating online political campaigning.
FEC member David Mason told the Senate Rules Committee last week the critical impact the Internet has had on politics so far has been campaign finance, "the one area of Internet activity that nearly everyone agrees should be regulated," he said. "I believe the Internet's potential for good will be best fostered by regulatory restraint rather than by government efforts to shape and control the medium."
Mason, a Republican, was seconded by fellow Commissioner Karl Sandstrom, a Democrat. Sandstrom said Congress should be careful when considering campaign finance law and its impact on online political speech.
Another Rules Committee hearing is set for May 17. Freedom Forum said this hearing is likely to include discussion of the Internet Freedom Protection Act, sponsored by three Republican senators, Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Robert Bennett (Utah) and Conrad Burns (Montana).
Burns said the bill would guarantee those making Websites for political purposes who aren't officially engaged in political parties, political action committees, or corporations, would not be watched or regulated severely. "If an American citizen feels strongly enough about a candidate or issue to create a website to express his views," he told the committee, "he should not be subject to oversight by federal election bureaucrats. Instead, the government should act to keep the Internet a free-speech zone."
