From Indianapolis Business Journal:
Q: Should political ads on a newspaper website include the same disclaimer outlining who paid for it and whether it was authorized by a candidate that would be required in print?
A: Indiana’s statute doesn’t extend to formats regulated by the federal government, such as the Internet, radio and television, according to the State Election Division of the Indiana Secretary of State.
So the disclaimer isn’t required under Indiana law for local elections. (There is a federal election law that would require a disclaimer if the ad concerned a congressional race.)
The newspaper can impose its own requirement for a disclaimer on web political ads as a matter of policy.
Contact Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, with media law questions at skey@hspa.com or (317) 624-4427.
