ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the laws and regulations governing political broadcasting. Basic federal law governing candidates' use of broadcast media to appeal to the electorate is embodied in the Federal Communications Act of 1934, which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Section 315 of the act regulates political broadcasting. The chapter considers actual broadcast costs, describes several related studies, and traces developments relating to presidential debates and forums. The administrative ruling permitted presidential debates sponsored by the League of Women Voters to be broadcast in 1976, 1980, and 1984. In 1975 the FCC, in response to a petition filed by the Aspen Institute Program on Communication and Society, ruled that broadcast political debates qualify as exempt, on-the-spot coverage of news events if they are sponsored by outside parties and are covered contemporaneously. During the 1987-1988 election cycle, a total of almost $4.2 million was reported by various organizations as the costs of communications advocating the election of specified candidates.
