NetAudioAds Voice2Page and the Pay Per Play Sham: Are these Political Ads Legal?

At the PayPerPlay forum, Larry Host of NetAudioAds commented on the political ads running on the PayPerPlay Network. The real question is do these ads fall into the guidelines given by the Federal Election Commission?

Larry Host States:

One of the demo ads is for Heather Wilson in New Mexico. We decided to make the demo ads as realistic as possible so that advertisers could envision how theirs would sound.

We will probably not have paid political ads until closer to the conventions and elections.

We have several campaigns on board already and more are coming in.

The real question for politicians using this form of advertising can can meet the requirements of the Federal Election Commission Required Disclaimers inside of the 5 Second Ad.

Taken from the FEC Website:

What disclaimers must appear in political ads and mailings?

Political committees must include a clear and conspicuous disclaimer on all "public communications" (e.g., TV and radio ads, newspaper, magazine or outdoor advertising, and mass mailings or telephone banks to the general public). Public communications financed by individuals or other organizations must include a disclaimer if the communication expressly advocates a candidate's election or defeat or solicits funds. The disclaimers must indicate who paid for the communication and whether or not it was authorized by a candidate. Unauthorized ads must also include contact information for the sponsoring organization. For additional information, see our brochure, Special Notices on Political Ads and Solicitations.

While it is not my position to advise politicians to run their campaign but it just appears that Political Ads via the PayPerPlay Network may not be able to deliver an effective political advertisement and meet the disclosure requirements inside of a 5 second "adlet".

While NetAudioAds may not have to adhere to the equal time rules because they are not a licensed broadcast medium they may very well be required to report their contributions to the candidates and limits mandated by Federal Law. Maybe the Federal Election Commission can provide an audit that the publishers have been desperately waiting on...