If an ad can be shown to be untrue or distorted in any manner, it should be required that the maker of that ad pay for the time to air a retraction or correction to provide the same coverage (i.e. if a 1 minute ad is run on Sat. evening at 6 a 1 minute ad at midnight on Sunday would NOT be equal coverage, it wouldn't reach the same number of people.) If the org. who aired the ad is unable to pay for the time, the broadcaster should be held responsible.
Why is this important?
It is becoming clear that there is no downside to lying in political ads but this must change. There are no penalities for half truths, lies, or distortions in political campaign ads that would never be permitted in commercial ads. Campaign ads are certainly more important to the public in making informed decisions based on FACTS.
