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Are bloggers "lobbyists"?

Posted by Mike Reitz - November 11, 2008

If a citizen emails his legislator about an issue of concern, does that make him a lobbyist? If you blog about the legislative session, will you have to report this as a lobbying activity?  Tomorrow the Public Disclosure Commission is discussing potential guidelines for Internet lobbying. Questions on the agenda:
 
Lobbying Emails
  • Are expenditures related to lobbying emails to legislators concerning possible legislation, or lobbying emails to state agencies concerning possible rules, reportable?
  • Are expenditures related to grassroots lobbying directed to the public via email reportable?
Lobbying Websites
  • Are websites established to provide lobbying information, and to encourage others to lobby for or against a particular bill or rule engaged in a reportable activity?
  • Is staff time and other expenditures for lobbying websites (creation, maintenance, etc.) reportable? If so, what else is reportable?
Lobbying Blogs (Web logs)
  • Are lobbying postings and responses on blogs reportable?
  • Are funds provided to "tip jars" (donation links) on lobbying blogs reportable?
While I recognize the need for lobbyists to report their lobbying expenses, regardless of the communication tool, this raises concerns. It could quash legitimate citizen debate and discussion in our new "public square" — the Internet. I'll attend the meeting tomorrow and will report on the discussion.
 
UPDATE: Just attended the meeting. My thoughts here.

Thoughts?   Add Comment -

Don said on Nov 12 2008 at 1:49pm
I will just send in my voting reg. card.
The system is broken, and cannot be fixed.
The Fascist's do not want me to engage my
"Supposed" elected representives, so it is over.

David said on Nov 12 2008 at 2:13pm
No surprise here. Welcome to the U.S.S.A.

Sue Lani Madsen said on Nov 12 2008 at 2:49pm
The rules need to air on the side of encouraging and expanding public debate in the interest of a well-informed and involved electorate. Beyond that is the practical question of what constitutes an expense for a blog or e-mail - the time spent at the keyboard, time spent thinking or researching before writing, a pro-rated cost of the internet hookup or IM service? Is there still an expense when it is forwarded for the 1st or 2nd or 20th time? When tracking the expense is impractical/impossible, then there can be no reportable event (and I can speak with some authority as not being biased, as I was the victim of an e-mail smear campaign in the recent election. Much as it would be personally fulfilling to strike back at someone/something, it isn't reality with a viral entity). E-mail and blogs are more like conversational or soap box speech, albeit in a virtual reality.

Websites are a different story. They are more in the nature of a pamphlet or flyer or book - more tangible and with traceable expenses and responsibility for hosting, even if the design is an all volunteer effort. Websites can be as ephemeral as an ad hoc pamphlet run off on an old mimeograph machine, handed out and discarded, or they can be part of a long term campaign. Timing and longevity may need to be part of the calculation. Wish I could attend the meeting and participate in the debate.

Liberty said on Nov 12 2008 at 7:49pm
Thank you for bringing this to light. Haven't seen it anywhere else & I suspect that's the way our friendly bureaucratic nannies want it.