FCC again signals no plan to require political ads to name top donors

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler again signaled his agency is not focusing on a Democratic push that would require some political ads to name the top donors behind them. Chairman Wheeler, instead, pointed to another FCC proposal that would expand an online database that includes information about political advertising buys around the country.

"Currently, the commission is concentrating its resources on a proceeding to expand the online file requirements to cable operators, satellite TV providers, broadcast radio licensees, and satellite radio licensees," Chairman Wheeler wrote in a letter to Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), who has pushed for increased disclosure in political ads. "The expanded rules, if adopted, will bring sunlight to political advertising, ensuring that the public has access to the political files of all broadcasters and [satellite and cable companies], not just television broadcasters," Chairman Wheeler added.