The Strasbourg Court that hears cases under the European Convention on Human Rights has recently upheld the Britain’s ban on political advertising as a democratically approved and permissable national practice (Article 10 of the convention on freedom of expression allows such advertising).
Culture Secretary Maria Miller said: “We welcome the fact the European Court has upheld the UK’s blanket ban on political advertising. “Political adverts are – and have always been – banned on British TV and radio. That ban has wide support and has helped sustain the balance of views which is at the heart of British broadcasting – and ensures the political views broadcast into our homes are not determined by those with the deepest pockets.”
Very sensible. Expensively-bought political advertising on TV is undemocratic unless those opposing the ideas put forward are in a financial position to reply in kind. Citizens United, a Orwellian name if there ever was one, guarantees in America that the richest have the loudest voices and has produced an arms race that is very undemocratic. The American media waxes rich on political advertising, a fact that, 14 months before the American general election, is already taxing the patience. At least there ought to be a set time limit on campaigning and no advertising prior (six weeks?) before an election. Maybe then politicians would not have to raise so much money and the rest of us wouldn’t be so thoroughly fed up with the whole business.
Vast amounts of money spent on advertising is only “free speech” if you support the people with the most money. If not, it is a dishonest means of creating an oligarchy.
Although campaign finance reform ought to regulated in order to prevent billionaires and corporations from donating to Super-PACs, its important that America maintains a relatively high level of political advertising. America already suffers from one of the lowest voter turnouts in the developed world- reducing political advertising generally would only make this worse. Moreover, its particularly important for the Democrats to adverse prominently, because they receive a disproportionate amount of support from casual voters. If turnout is reduced further, as it has been in the midterm elections, expect Republicans to continue winning congressional and state elections.
I totally agree with the idea of banning advertising until six weeks before the election. But political advertising for primaries should continue. There also needs to restrictions on financing candidates during the primary season. The voters should hear about all of the candidates equally.
I am not convinced that advertising is the most important thing. The reason the public, and young people in particular, are turned off politics and don’t vote is that, until Bernie appeared, there has been no genuine, honest politician who isn’t beholden to Big Money and Wall Street and no Big Media organisation that hasn’t been subborned. It’s a disgrace. What’s the point in voting when the best intentions of politicians are overturned by lobbyists and huge donations. There has been little or no advertising from Bernie, but he is still attracting huge crowds, record small donations, and approval from independent focus groups,and this despite the fact that he comes across as gruff, over-serious and sometimes angry (he has reason to be angry). The Clintonistas, who constitute the Democrat political commentariat are all angling for jobs in Hillary’s administration and declared her “winner” in the debate. She did well, but the real plaudits were for Honest Bernie, who really supports the common man and isn’t acting..