Glossary Definition :

Public Communications: Communications that are made publicly on broadcast television or radio, a digital broadcast system, or a cable system. Disclosure regulations may apply if a public communication is an electioneering communication or contains express advocacy.

Statutes and/or Regulations:

Definition: 2 U.S.C. § 431(22) and 11C.F.R. § 100.26

Contribution/expenditure limitations for communications; advertising; disclaimers: 11C.F.R. § 110.11

Corporate and labor organization disbursements for communications to and beyond the restricted class in connection with a Federal election: 11C.F.R. § 114.3 and § 114.4

The following applies for Public Political Advertising

Allocation of expenditures for
- among sever candidates: 11C.F.R. § 100..52(d) and § 106.1(b)
- on behalf of Presidential candidate: 11C.F.R. § 106.2(b)(2)(i)

Campaign materials republished or disseminated to media by
- delegates/delegate committees on behalf of federal candidates: 11C.F.R. § 110.14(f)(3)
- persons other than campaign personnel: 11C.F.R. § 109.23

Defined (Public Political Advertising): 11C.F.R. § 110.11(a)

Expressly advocating, definition: 11C.F.R. § 100.22

Media used for: 11C.F.R. § 110.11(a)

News story/editorial/commentary, exempted as contribution or expenditure for: 11C.F.R. § 100.73 and § 100.132

Notice required for: 11C.F.R. § 102.13; § 109.11; and § 110.11(a)
- authorized candidate: 11C.F.R. § 110.11(b)(1) and (2)
- contribution solicitations: 11C.F.R. § 102.13 and § 110.11(a)(1)
- express advocacy of candidate: 11C.F.R. § 110.11(a)(2)
- not authorized by candidate: 11C.F.R. § 110.11(b)(3) and § 114.10(g)

Rates charged for space: 11C.F.R. § 110.11(g)

Television and radio ads, requirements for: 11C.F.R. § 110.11(a)(c)(3) and (c)(4)

Use restrictions
- campaign materials mentioning other candidates: 11C.F.R. § 100.88(a) and (b) and § 100.148
- exempted party activities: 11C.F.R. § 100.80; § 100.87(a); § 100.89(a); § 100.140; § 100.147(a); and § 100.149(a)
- testing-the-waters activities: 11C.F.R. § 100.72(a) and (b); § 100.131(a) and (b)

Related Forms :

FEC Disclosure Form to Report Communications Costs by Corporations and Membership Organizations:
Form 7 and Instructions

FEC Disclosure Form to Report Electioneering Communications:
Form 9 and Instructions

Commentary :

"The Campaign Media Guide," The Campaign Legal Center

Other General Reference Materials:

FEC brochure on "Special Notices of Political Ads and Solicitations," The Federal Election Commission