AAPC Files Comments Citing Concerns with Proposed FCC Rules on Text Messaging

CONTACT:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 11, 2022

 

AAPC FILES COMMENTS CITING CONCERNS WITH PROPOSED FCC RULES ON TEXT MESSAGING 

AAPC Supports Industry Efforts to Target Scam and Spam Text Messaging While Protecting Political Free Speech

 

MCLEAN, VA – The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission yesterday regarding a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Targeting and Eliminating Unlawful Text Messages. AAPC’s Comments, on behalf of its more than 1,600 bipartisan members hailing from all across the United States, oppose the proposed rules citing First Amendment concerns, authentication protocols, and the timing of implementation that could adversely impact voter contact and opinion research efforts before the 2024 Presidential cycle.

AAPC members are experts on political campaigns and are skilled in general consulting, digital campaigns, media buying, polling, data and analytics, fundraising, and campaign technology.

View AAPC’s Comments 

The FCC released the NPRM on September 27, 2022, and it was published in the Federal Register on October 11, 2022, prompting a 30-day public comment period. The FCC has until November 25, 2022, to respond to public comments.

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About AAPC
Founded in 1969, the AAPC is a multi-partisan organization of political and public affairs professionals dedicated to improving democracy. The AAPC has over 1,500 members hailing from all corners of the globe.  It is the largest association of political and public affairs professionals in the world. For more information, see www.theaapc.org.

AAPC Urges Meta To End Its New Ill-Advised and Harmful Restrictive Ad Policy

Contact:
Alana Joyce
Executive Director
703-245-8021

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 11, 2021

 

AAPC URGES META TO END ITS NEW ILL-ADVISED AND HARMFUL RESTRICTIVE AD POLICY
Washington, D.C. —The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) urges Meta to reverse its latest restrictions on free speech that will directly limit the ability of people to participate and learn about the candidates and policy issues that matter to them.
As the only bipartisan organization representing political campaign professionals, we know that these limits will gag legitimate candidates and organizations, while doing nothing to crack down on anonymous accounts devoted to spreading inflammatory and false information. We urge Meta to put an end to this ill-advised and harmful policy.
The main source of news and opinion for millions of Americans, Meta has a responsibility to provide fair access to fully disclosed campaign and policy advertising by legitimate candidates and organizations, while investing to stop dangerous and reckless fake misinformation accounts.
Social media and the cost-effective advertising available on Facebook’s platform have fueled many first-time candidates, advancing our democracy. Meta’s ban makes it less likely that first-time candidates with limited resources will advance in the political process.
We look forward to working with Meta, other technology companies and our Nation’s lawmakers to put an end to these discriminatory bans that harm the advancement of candidates seeking to advance our democracy.

 

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About AAPC

Founded in 1969, the AAPC is a multi-partisan organization of political and public affairs professionals dedicated to improving democracy. The AAPC has more than 1,600 members hailing from all corners of the globe. The Board of Directors is comprised of 32 members, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. It is the largest association of political and public affairs professionals in the world. For more information, see www.theaapc.org.

AAPC Statement on Elections and the Peaceful Transfer of Power

Contact:
Alana Joyce
Executive Director
703-245-8021

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 6, 2021

 

AAPC STATEMENT ON ELECTIONS AND THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER  OF POWER

 

WASHINGTON D.C. – In 2020, democracy happened, and after all the recounts and runoffs are done, our government continues because we accept the results of our elections.

 

We support the peaceful transfer of power as has been exercised since the adoption of our constitution in 1789, involving 45 Presidents over 231 years. The peaceful transfer of power is crucial to the stability of our republic and serves as a beacon of democracy throughout the world.
As Republican and Democratic political consultants, we are vigorous supporters of the First Amendment and its essential guarantees of free speech, a free press and peaceful protest. Violent take overs of the institutions central to ensuring those freedoms are not protected by the First Amendment, nor are they the answer to grievances.
Continuing America’s long tradition of a peaceful transfer of power is what our country needs right now.

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About AAPC

Founded in 1969, the AAPC is a multi-partisan organization of political and public affairs professionals dedicated to improving democracy. The AAPC has more than 1,600 members hailing from all corners of the globe. The Board of Directors is comprised of 32 members, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. It is the largest association of political and public affairs professionals in the world. For more information, see www.theaapc.org.

AAPC Statement on Facebook Political Ad Policy

Contact:
Alana Joyce
Executive Director
703-245-8021

 

For Immediate Release

June 18, 2020

 

AAPC STATEMENT ON FACEBOOK POLITICAL AD POLICY

 

We believe that suppression of political advertising reduces the ability of voters to learn about the candidates and policy issues that matter to them. Suppressing advertising is suppressing free speech and a campaign’s ability to reach a broad community online.

Facebook is choosing to gag legitimate, fully disclosed campaign and policy advertising, while doing little to crack down on anonymous accounts devoted to spreading inflammatory and false information.

While voters may be tired of the long presidential race, they may not even know that their school district is planning a bond measure, the city council is considering cuts to library hours, or a tax increase will be on the ballot. With the decline of local journalism, voters may never hear the arguments from both sides if they opt out.  Small, local campaigns with budgets of only a few thousand dollars are the ones that will be hurt the most when voters mute campaigns, thinking only of the presidential race noise. Muting campaign advertising impinges on the kind of dialogue most needed, and keeps voters separated in their own bubbles, listening to themselves.

This decision undermines free speech. We urge Facebook to reverse this ill-conceived decision and ensure full access to their platform for all legitimate campaigns and all points of view.

 

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About AAPC

Founded in 1969, the AAPC is a multi-partisan organization of political and public affairs professionals dedicated to improving democracy. The AAPC has more than 1,600 members hailing from all corners of the globe. The Board of Directors is comprised of 32 members, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. It is the largest association of political and public affairs professionals in the world. For more information, see www.theaapc.org.