Friday, April 27, 2007

First Amendment Lives in Washington State

HT: The Warrior

We hold that RCW 42.17.090 did not require NNGT to disclose the value of KVI's radio broadcasts supporting the initiative campaign as an in-kind contribution. The statutory media exemption, RCW 42.17.020(15)(b)(iv), excludes from the definition of "contribution" political advocacy for or against a political campaign by the hosts of a regularly scheduled talk show, broadcast by a radio station that is not controlled by a candidate or political committee. We reverse the order dismissing NNGT's counterclaims and remand to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

ALL of the radio-pundits I know of would double up in laughter at the term 'controlled by a candidate...' It seem that by nature, these folks are un-controllable.

Nice to know that (for the time being) the First Amendment survives, at least in radio-land.

1 comment:

Billiam said...

and will continue to survive until Dems control the House, Senate and the Presidency. Then, all bets are off. Political Correctness, as well as the "Fairness" Doctrine will once again poison and stifle discourse.