Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton won't be getting ripped off on advertising rates as they begin campaigning on television.
An FCC regulation puts restrictions on the rates that federal candidates for office pay for TV advertising. During the 45 days preceding a primary, candidates can only be charged the cheapest rate for ads running in the same class and amount of time.
That same regulation does not apply to candidates for state office, however.
The candidates assume the role of television stations' most loyal customers. Another stipulation reads that candidates will be charged no more than a station's "most favored commercial advertisers," and that any practices available to enhance the value of spots be offered to candidates equally.
Stations are not required to accept ads from candidates, but once they have accepted one, they must give equal opportunity to all candidates for the office. The stations have no censorship over the ads.
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