Monday's announcement by FEC Commission Chairman Michael E. Toner that internet paid political advertising will be regulated by FEC Campaign Law does not affect individual internet political expression via blogs, email and online publications.

The Wall Street Journal reports that, "Toner said the new rule gives a 'categorical and unqualified' exemption to all individual and group political activity on the internet, except for paid advertising."

Advertisers posting paid political ads on the internet will have to adhere to federal campaign contribution and spending limits. Paid internet advertisements for federal candidates must be paid for with money regulated by Federal Campaign Law.

This announcement follows a court ruling in 2004 including paid political advertising under FEC Campaign Law regulation. The FEC urged Congress to pass legislation protecting individual and group political internet expression except for paid advertising.

The new regulation means that bloggers are placed in the category of traditional forms of media, such as newspapers, who are exempt from this Campaign Law. "There will be no second class citizens among members of the media," Toner said.

"I see the FEC ruling as another sign that the internet has come of age for political communications," says the E-Voter Institute's Karen Jagoda. "The ruling is designed to protect First Amendment rights while including online paid advertising with broadcast media for fundraising, persuasion and getting out the vote. Some might see it as closing a loophole but I prefer to think that budgets for online advertising will start to grow faster now that the power of the Internet is being recognized."