Carol Darr from the Institute for Politics, Technology & The Internet (IPDI) kicked off the second panel on Internet Communications before the Federal Election Commission.  IPDI's comments to the FEC came under increased scrutiny after a blistering review posted on DailyKos.  Carol did a good job, though, of explaining what IPDI's comments were all about.

According to Darr, a hypothetically “broadly granted media exemption contains an absolutely unavoidable consequence.”  Specifically, she is concerned that corporations and unions could spend large amounts of money under the guise of being a blogger if the FEC crafts a blanket media exemption.

Marc Elias from John Kerry for President was also on the second panel.  Elias argued that if the FEC decides to regulate the Internet -- even if it's a mild regulation -- it will cause citizens to "pause" before engaging in online activities for fear of breaking the law.  Grassroots activism would be stifled.  Elias also noted that the focus should not be on everyday voters but on those who abuse current laws.  He gave the example of people who set up fraudulent websites that solicit donations from unassuming citizens.

Don Simon from Democracy 21 asked that campaign finance law be applied to the Internet in a way that will not quash online political activism and speech.  Simon argued against a blanket Internet exemption from FEC regulation.  In my opinion, he focused on too many hypotheticals and discussed "potential" abuses rather than actual abuses.  In the end, however, he supported the adoption of the proposed rules as they appeared in the NPRM.

Matt Stoller of Blogging of the President focused his testimony on how average voters use the Internet.  The thrust of his arguments, though, were to put aside the idea that corporations can corrupt elections online.  He provided examples of how the idea of corporations using the Internet to peddle influence is not only non-existent and theoretical, but unlikely. 

"Inauthenticitiy on the Internet is easily sniffed out by citizens," noted Stoller.  According to Matt, the FEC should tread lightly when regulating a medium that has brought about so little corruption and so much increased involvement.

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