Close Elections and Big Media
Anyone else see an interesting cycle between Big Media and politicians lately? I'm starting to think all the 'close' races in the US is not so much a function of the normal electoral process as a scam of sorts by big media. On one hand they are taking billions for political ads, while having their news arms tell us how 'close' the election is. This just sways public opinion toward a closer race -- and brings in more ads and more viewers. Quite profitable cycle for the media, especially the TV networks.
And let's not forget who ends up paying for those ads. The lobbyists in D.C. for the most part. How about a ban on TV ads for two weeks (or even a month) before an election? I'm a free speech guy, but we don't let you politick within 100' of a polling place on election day, and no one complains about that restriction on free speech. This would be a restriction in that vein, and a fair one.
And let's not forget who ends up paying for those ads. The lobbyists in D.C. for the most part. How about a ban on TV ads for two weeks (or even a month) before an election? I'm a free speech guy, but we don't let you politick within 100' of a polling place on election day, and no one complains about that restriction on free speech. This would be a restriction in that vein, and a fair one.
posted by Dr. Steven Morphy-Godchaux III at
9:28 AM
6 Comments:
Ah... we come down to the same old bugabo that plaques the law in so many cases. What is reasonable? 1st Amendment Jurisprudence allows "reasonable" restrictions on speech - usually reasonable time, place or manner restrictions. You have freedom of speech. However, if you are speaking at your local school board about the war in Iraq, they are probably well within there rights to cut you off. Not the right time; not the right place.
We allow the restriction on politicking near a poll because somebody said that is "reasonable." So when does it become an "unreasonable" restriction? After 150 feet? At half a mile? What about a 24 hour ban to politicking prior to the polls opening?
It is the bugaboo for all of law. What is reasonable?
By
Philip Seymour Morphy, at Mon Nov 06, 12:47:00 PM CST
I'm reasonable. (That should settle it).
By
Dr. Steven Morphy-Godchaux III, at Mon Nov 06, 01:20:00 PM CST
I’ll have to track down the references, but I think Mexico has some kind of moratorium on political ads for some period of time just prior to elections. They also have an interesting law against campaigning outside the USA.
By
Thurston J Morphy III, at Mon Nov 06, 02:26:00 PM CST
I beleive many countries have an outright ban on paid political ads. I'd have to check, but I think the UK is an example. I also believe this was a big issue when the USSR went 'democratic'. I don't recall which option they chose.
By
Dr. Steven Morphy-Godchaux III, at Mon Nov 06, 02:34:00 PM CST
Here's what I was looking for: Mexico has a Reflection Period of 48 hours of commercial-free pondering of the candidates.
By
Thurston J Morphy III, at Mon Nov 06, 02:38:00 PM CST
The article says fourt days, which I like even better. BTW, I'm not opposed to the ads. Just the huge sums of money they require the politicians to raise. All this can't be good for democracy.
By
Dr. Steven Morphy-Godchaux III, at Mon Nov 06, 03:25:00 PM CST
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