Court blocks Trump FCC order that could flood broadcast TV with more election ads
Republicans demanded that parties and fundraising committees be given lowest ad rates.
Republicans demanded that parties and fundraising committees be given lowest ad rates.
The short version
- The Federal Communications Commission recently ordered broadcasters to offer the lowest advertising rates to political parties and joint fundraising committees.
- Four Democratic candidates challenged the decision in court, saying that only individual candidates are entitled under US law to receive what is called the “lowest unit charge,” or LUC.
- In a 2-1 vote, a judges’ panel at the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit agreed with the candidates and set aside the FCC decision that was scheduled to take effect on September 4.
What happened
That’s the start date of the 60-day period before the election in which broadcasters must offer the lowest ad rates to qualified candidates. “There is no question that candidates are entitled to the LUC,” the ruling said.
Why it matters
The National Republican Congressional Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee supported the FCC’s position during the court case.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.