Bloggers Lobby Against Government

Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, the founder of the web log www.DailyKos.com will testify today at a hearing on a Federal Elections Commission proposal that would extend some campaign finance rules to the Internet, including Bloggers. Needless to say, Zuniga isn't happy about government regulators "poking their fingers in what you do" and both he and Duncan Black, founder of www.atrios.blogspot.com will go all the way to the courts to minimize regulation on bloggers.

In the 2004 election, over 1/3 of U.S. adults went to the Internet to get political news, share their views on candidates or issues, volunteer for a campaign, or make a political donation. That's an incredible statistic and it leads one to believe that the Internet is an incredible tool for campaigns whether they be for a candidate or a cause.

But blogging isn't what it used to be. In fact, it's big business when you think of the advertising revenue that can be achieved. Duncan Black noted that a small number of bloggers make a living from ad revenue however most still have other jobs.

Because of the growth of the Internet and the awareness that's been generated to blogging, a federal judge last year ordered the FEC to extend some of the nation's campaign finance and spending limits to political activity on the Web. This could lead to limits on blogging activities as well, although it is highly unlikely to happen any time soon.

Regardless of what happens, it's apparent that the Internet's use for political purposes has spawned debate - one that will be heard loud and clear in the blogging communities.