11 C.F.R. § 100.73 : Federal Elections — FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION — GENERAL — SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS (2 U.S.C0101) — EXCEPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTIONS — News story, commentary, or editorial by the media

Any cost incurred in covering or carrying a news story, commentary, or editorial by any broadcasting station (including a cable television operator, programmer or producer), Web site, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, including any Internet or electronic publication, is not a contribution unless the facility is owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate, in which case the costs for a news story:

(a) That represents a bona fide news account communicated in a publication of general circulation or on a licensed broadcasting facility; and

(b) That is part of a general pattern of campaign-related news accounts that give reasonably equal coverage to all opposing candidates in the circulation or listening area, is not a contribution.

11 C.F.R. §100.73

67 FR 50585, 8/5/2002, as amended at 71 FR 18613, 4/12/2006