Bill Stoddard wrote:
>>No one likes commercial spam.
>>
>>
>And no one like unsolicited political spam. End of story.
>
>Bill
>http://xent.com/mailman/listinfo/fork
>
>
Except perhaps for the people in charge.
Owen
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-954903.html
*Political spam on your cell phone?*
By Lisa M. Bowman <mailto:lisa.bowman@cnet.com>
Special to ZDNet News
August 22, 2002, 12:05 PM PT
URL: http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-954909.html
<%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105-954909.html%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20>
*In a decision that treats text messaging on mobile phones essentially
the same as bumper stickers, the Federal Election Commission has
declared that senders of text-based political ads don't have to disclose
who funded them.*
In an advisory opinion issued Thursday, the FEC also suggested such
messages include either a phone number or Web site link, so people could
easily learn who paid for the message. However, the additional
information won't be required.
The opinion could encourage the adoption of text-based political ads, as
campaign experts look for new technological ways to sway voters. At the
same time, opponents of the plan fear it could lead to anonymous
political spam.
Target Wireless, a small New Jersey-based wireless media company, had
asked the FEC for an opinion on the matter, saying that requiring
financial disclosures on short messaging service (SMS) mailings would
use up too much of the 160 character-maximum.
Political messages on bumper stickers and buttons are also exempt from
the financial disclosure requirement. Target Wireless' petition was
supported by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Cellular
Telecommunications and Internet Association, and some advertising trade
groups.
FEC spokesman Bob Biersack said the opinion was in keeping with the
commission's policy not to meddle with new technology that has the
potential to reach more voters.
"We have tried very hard not to get in the way--particularly before
everyone understands how the technology is going to work," he said.
Opponents of the plan have worried the exemption might encourage spam or
allow senders to blast people with mass amounts of negative political
messages while remaining anonymous.
Biersack said the FEC can revisit the issue if those problems surface.
Target Wireless President Craig Krueger characterized the opinion as
"good for America."
"It will allow people to receive more communication from those running
for office," he said. "We have free speech on our side."