Lying in Political Commercials

The question I hear from many of my listeners is: "Can you openly lie in Political Commercials and Advertisements?"� The answer is YES, you can say what you want even if it is a bold face lie.

All political statements, true, false or misleading are protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.


Radio and TV stations cannot judge which statements are true or false in political commercials.� A station can refuse to play an entire campaign of political commercials for both sides. If the station does this it will notify the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and give its reasons for the action.� A radio or television station can editorialize for any candidate or proposition.

Newspapers also cannot judge the truth of political ads and change them.� However in editorials the newspaper can support candidates and propositions on the ballot, and speak out about political advertisements.� Newspapers have a history of supporting slates of candidates and propositions.

Bottom line is that many radio and TV political commercials are filled with misrepresentations and complete lies.

� (My editorial thoughts) It's shameful for our political system to have such distortions of the truth in political commercials.�� But, it's apparently more important to have freedom of speech when it comes to all subjects even though some candidates have no ethics about the truth.

Filed November 5, 2005