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When in-your-face is off-the-air

By Angie Drobnic Holan
June 30, 2009

Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, was angry that ABC News hosted a town hall meeting with President Barack Obama on health care but wouldn’t let opposing groups buy commercials during it.

We dug into the issue and found that broadcast networks don’t take issue advocacy ads, at least most of the time. It was definitely the case for Obama’s town hall. We rated Smith’s statement

True

and explain  the nuts and bolts of buying political advocacy advertising on television.

Our Sources

See individual item for sources.

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Angie Drobnic Holan
Mike Pence
stated on September 4, 2016 in an interview on "Meet the Press":
Says Hillary Clinton “wants to increase Syrian refugees to this country by 550 percent.”
True
Antonio Sabato Jr.
stated on July 19, 2016 in an interview with ABC News:
Says President Barack Obama is “absolutely” a Muslim.
Charlie Crist
stated on March 3, 2014 in in an interview on CNN:
On the economic stimulus.
Half Flip
Janet Napolitano
stated on August 27, 2013 in a speech at the National Press Club:
The 2010 DREAM Act failed despite “strong bipartisan support.”
Mostly False
Marco Rubio
stated on May 3, 2013 in a position on legislation:
On an early date for Florida’s presidential primary
Full Flop

When in-your-face is off-the-air









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