527s should be required to show documents/data supporting their charges.

[blm]

That's it.

If they submit an ad with no back up....it should be disallowed.

If they submit an ad with backing documents/data it should be allowed.

That should be the only argument.

[BOHICA06]

1. And who are you going to put

in charge of the TRUTH meter?

Dangerous ground being treaded here.

[blm]

2. The ad sellers. They should require OFFICIAL documents to back up charges.

For example, there is now plenty of documentation that Bush did not serve as he was required in the National Guard. There is documentation that he was getting special treatment.

The SBV had NO official documentation to back their charges so they should have been refused.

[BOHICA06]

5. What's Official????

Have the FEC appoint an Official Guru to review the official documentation?

It's Free Speech .... if its actionable, take it to the courts, but please don't have the government be the arbiters of truth.

[HFishbine]

8. The Ad Seller? Really?

You want Faux, MSNBC and CNN to be arbiters of the truth?

[blm]

10. If they accept an ad with no documentation then they bear a legal burden.

That should ensure more honest elections.

[HFishbine]

12. So I guess your answer is

yes.

[blm]

13. Yep. Product ads are liable for false claims.

Ad buyers for networks run them through legal channels all the time.

Time for the same since 527s may be here to stay.

[HFishbine]

14. How can an ad be liable? (eom)

[mbali]

3. The SBVs have affidavits out the wazzoo - what good does that do?

[blm]

4. The SBV had ZERO official documents.

Don't confuse affidavits with official documents. If a 527 is going to use an affidavit, then that affidavit needs an official document to back it up.

If Mr. French had been required to back up his affidavit, he wouldn't be in such hot water today for lying.

[mbali]

11. Many valid accusations are not backed up by "official" documents

[snippy]

6. Changing the law to make it easier to sue for defamation in political

advertising might be a better way to go. I would have the burden of proof of the truthfulness of the accusation placed on the defendant in a defamation suit based on political advertising and would not allow individuals to avoid liability behind anything like the corporate veil. I think this would curtail the most outrageous lies that are spread knowingly and intentionally.

[I_like_chicken]

7. I think thats the responsiblity of the news media

To report whether or not the charges that 527s put out is true or not. Unfortunetely the media is not too reliable right now.

[HFishbine]

9. Exactly

If they can't report on the truthfullness of an ad, they certainly can't be counted on to screen ads for their veracity before airing.