(cross posted at the Citizen Media Law Project)
As social media become more popular, it is inevitable that enterprising politicians will use it promote themselves, connect with constituents, and garner votes. The White House has a blog, several Senators and House members tweet, and elected officials and candidates at all levels of government are using social media to get out their messages.
But just as use of social media by voters is coming into conflict with existing election laws, some politicians are discovering that their use of social media may clash — or at least create possible problems — with existing campaign and government disclosure laws.
Oct 14, 2009
Oct 8, 2009
New FTC Rules Aim to Kill the Buzz on Blogs
(cross posted at the Citizen Media Law Project)
On October 5, the Federal Trade Commission issued new guidelines (large pdf) on advertising involving endorsements and testimonials. The guidelines, which are due to go into effect on Dec. 1, have caused a stir among bloggers, journalists, and new media types because they appear to place significant requirements and restrictions on blogs and social media. Most notably, they suggest that bloggers or other consumers who "endorse" a product or service online may be liable for civil penalties if they make false or unsubstantiated claims about a product or fail to disclose "material connections" between themselves and an advertiser.
On October 5, the Federal Trade Commission issued new guidelines (large pdf) on advertising involving endorsements and testimonials. The guidelines, which are due to go into effect on Dec. 1, have caused a stir among bloggers, journalists, and new media types because they appear to place significant requirements and restrictions on blogs and social media. Most notably, they suggest that bloggers or other consumers who "endorse" a product or service online may be liable for civil penalties if they make false or unsubstantiated claims about a product or fail to disclose "material connections" between themselves and an advertiser.
Oct 3, 2009
For Once, Illinois Federal Judge Lets 'Em Roll: And Gets Bulldozed
(cross posted at the Citizen Media Law Project)
UPDATE: Federal District Judge Joe Billy McDade has issued a letter apologizing for allowing cameras into his courtroom to cover a Sept. 15 hearing on a consent decree settling a school discrimination case.
The apology came after Judge Frank Easterbrook, chief judge of the 7th Circuit, issued an opinion chiding Judge McDade for allowing cameras into a consent decree hearing in a school discrimination case, saying that it violated a 1996 resolution of the 7th Circuit Judicial Council adopting the national Judicial Council's ban on cameras, discussed below.
UPDATE: Federal District Judge Joe Billy McDade has issued a letter apologizing for allowing cameras into his courtroom to cover a Sept. 15 hearing on a consent decree settling a school discrimination case.
The apology came after Judge Frank Easterbrook, chief judge of the 7th Circuit, issued an opinion chiding Judge McDade for allowing cameras into a consent decree hearing in a school discrimination case, saying that it violated a 1996 resolution of the 7th Circuit Judicial Council adopting the national Judicial Council's ban on cameras, discussed below.
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