No, political ads don’t have to be true to go on TV [Video]

During election seasons, it’s hard to ignore the vast amount of political advertisements that flood the airwaves and internet.  

Several VERIFY viewers have reached out to us to ask if political ads that air on TV have to be truthful. Dan emailed us saying he was confused when he saw some claims in an attack ad that ran contrary to other things he’d read about the candidate, and wondered how that was allowed on television.

THE QUESTION

Are political ads required to be factual in order to air on TV?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

No, political ads on TV aren’t required to be factual. The First Amendment protects political speech on television, but the people who make the ads may be liable for defamation depending on what the ad claims.

Broadcast news networks and their local affiliates – such …