Wis. TV group opposes posting political-ad data

MADISON, Wis. — There’s a federal effort to require TV stations to post political-advertising information online, but a Wisconsin broadcasters group is pushing back.

Broadcasters already have to provide paper copies of their political-ad data at the stations. The government wants to modernize the system with a national online database.

The National Association of Broadcasters has been fighting the move. A Wisconsin Public Radio report (http://bit.ly/Ka8cbs ) says a Wisconsin group backs the NAB.

Michelle Vetterkind heads the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. She says the rule is unfair because it would apply to TV broadcasters but not satellite and cable companies.

But the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council says putting the information online would increase transparency. Council President Bill Lueders (LEE’-derz) says a database would help show the influence of outside groups on political advertising.