Is Blogging Lobbying?

Washington State Regulators are contemplating whether online political activism constitutes lobbying. Unlike journalists, lobbyists are legally required to register with the state, and submit detailed financial reports and the particular issues they are involved with. According to the Associated Press, the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) "was asked by some lobbyists whether calls to action made over the Internet fell under any lobbying regulations, and the agency began probing the topic." Eventually the topic shifted to blogging. Journalists that regularly give their opinions, such as newspaper editorialists and radio commentators are "exempt from reporting their income and spending under an exemption created to protect the media." Doug Ellis, the PDC's assistant director, told the Associated Press that he "doesn't expect commissioners to impose financial reporting for bloggers who perform a journalistic function. Since that type of activity was excluded in campaign finance rules, he said, 'I don't see any reason why they would veer from past practice'." Some groups are concerned that advocacy groups may move their efforts online to avoid campaign finance restrictions if activities that are normally considered lobbying are exempt in the blogosphere.
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