Description

"Stand By Your Ad" requirements, a provision of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (AKA McCain-Feingold), mandates that "radio and television communications (or any broadcast, cable or satellite transmission) that are authorized or paid for by a campaign require [that]...the candidate must deliver an audio statement identifying themself and stating that the candidate has approved of the communication. For example, 'I am [candidate’s name], a candidate for [federal office sought], and I approved this advertisement.' "In a television ad, the disclaimer must be conveyed by: * A full-screen view of the candidate making the statement; or * A voiceover by the candidate with an image of the candidate occupying no less than 80 percent of the vertical screen height." (FEC; linked below) Following the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC decision, increased proliferation of advertising paid for by independent advocacy groups motivated members of Congress to propose updated legislation requiring similar provisions for all campaign advertising. In every Congress since the Citizens United decision, a variation on the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act has been introduced.