[econ40432]

Does CNN, Fox News, ABC, New York Times and CBS use money to endorse candidates on air? Is that advertising?

[ericjmorey]

Who would think it's not advertising?

[econ40432]

So these news networks would be banned too?

[Ukv]

The networks themselves wouldn't be banned, but they wouldn't be permitted to endorse or give airtime to a candidate in exchange for money, I'd assume is the idea.

[econ40432]

They're not endorsing candidates in exchange for money. They do use their money to run their networks, which they use to promote certain candidates and positions.

Re: "The line is clear: is money being exchanged in order to promote a product? That's advertising."

[Henchman21]

They’re endorsing candidates to sell more newspapers or more airtime for advertisers. How is that not “in exchange for money”?

[theamk]

What if they are running the story on local ocean tides or soup kitchens? They are doing this to sell more newspapers or more airtime for advertisers.. does this mean there is an "exchange for money" under your rule?

[Cthulhu_]

What if the candidates did it for free? Aren't they already, because the networks are platforming them? Wouldn't the mere fact of showing a candidate be an endorsement in itself?

[tptacek]

Candidate endorsements (and political advertising in general) are core political speech. You can't outlaw it in the US.

[esperent]

Are candidate endorsements by corporations (e.g CNN) allowed? That sounds like something that should be banned.

[Cthulhu_]

Sure, corporations get free speech protections too. Journalists even moreso.

And while I'm inclined to believe not everyone should have free speech, I'm also aware that denying it is authoritarian.

[twoodfin]

Of course they’re “allowed”. Congress shall make no law…

The New York Times Company can say anything they want about anything, and especially political candidates.