The Washington Post: The FCC Could Start Posting More Information About Political Ads Online

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The FCC’s consideration comes after a petition was filed July 31 by the Sunlight Foundation, Capaign Legal Center, and Common Cause seeking the expansion of what’s available online.

“Requiring cable and satellite systems to upload their public and political files to the online database will provide a consistent, simple, and transparent way for the public to access disclosure records and to learn about who is spending how much money at which stations, no matter what medium is chosen,” the petition read.

The amount spent on local cable television ads has grown from $340 million during the 2008 election cycle to $625 million in the 2012 election cycle, the petition noted, and it’s expected to be as high as $800 million in the 2014 election cycle.

“Many [Super PACs] and similar committee groups have purchased significant political advertising time on cable systems,” the petition read. “Furthermore, due to advances in technology, major satellite television providers have  recently teamed up to sell household-specific ‘addressable advertising.’ With the ability to ‘finely hone their TV pitches to individuals,’ advertising campaigns are very interested.”

To read the full story at The Washington Post, click here.