QUICK TIP: See Chapter 7 for the disclosure and sender identification requirements for mass mailings sent by a candidate- controlled committee or a committee primarily formed to support or oppose a candidate. Social Media – Internet Communications Paid Advertisements on the Internet. A paid advertisement that a candidate or committee places on the Internet is reportable under the Act. A candidate or committee that pays to place a communication on another person’s website must report the expenditure on a campaign statement. Similarly, a candidate must report a payment to purchase email addresses or any payment for general or public advertisements on Internet sites.
Ex 7.7 - John is running for school board and John’s neighbor George posts support for John’s candidacy on Facebook. In George’s Facebook post, George includes a picture of John that George got from John’s website. The communication is not reportable because George was not paid for the Facebook post.
Uncompensated Individuals’ Internet Activity. When an individual who is not compensated by a candidate or committee sends communications over the Internet (e.g., emails, social networking, blogging, website postings, and hyperlinks) that support or oppose a candidate or measure, these activities do not constitute reportable contributions or expenditures. Regulation 18215.2 creates a “safe harbor” for uncompensated individuals’ political activity on the Internet. Paid Blogger. The safe harbor for an individual’s uncompensated Internet activity does not apply to a blogger a committee pays to support or oppose a candidate or measure. The committee must report payments to that individual. The safe harbor also does not apply to a blogger who receives a majority of their advertisement revenue from a single candidate or committee because they are not considered to be providing uncompensated personal services.
Fair Political Practices Commission advice@fppc.ca.gov
Chapter 7.10
Campaign Manual 2 August 2023 Page 259
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