Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 55, § 8A (2026)

Media organization offering time and space to qualified candidates at no cost or reduced price; limitations

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 8A. (1) As used in this section the following words shall have the following meanings:—

''Media organization'', any corporation, partnership or trust which owns or controls a television station, including without limitation cable television, a radio station or any other such electronic broadcast media outlet or a newspaper, periodical or any other such print outlet.

''Qualified candidate'', any candidate who qualifies to have his name appear on the ballot at an election, whether primary, general, or special election.

(2) A media organization may make time or space available to a qualified candidate at no cost or at reduced cost for the purpose of presentation of the candidate's own political advertising; provided, however, that:—

(a) time of the same duration and the same market value or the same amount of space and the same market value is made available to all other qualified candidates for the same office for the same election; and

(b) the media corporation makes disclosure of its conduct under this section in conformance with rules and regulations promulgated by the director of the office of campaign and political finance.

(3) A media organization acting in conformance with this section shall not be deemed to be in violation of section eight and shall not be deemed to be making a contribution within the meaning of this chapter.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 2 cases, 1977–1994 · leading case: Associated Indus. of Mass. v. Attorney Gen., 636 N.E.2d 220 (Mass. 1994).

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Associated Indus. of Mass. v. Attorney Gen., 636 N.E.2d 220 (Mass. 1994). “This entire argument is derived from a small error, perhaps a typographical one, in the language of proposed G. L. c. 55, § 8A (3). That section, quoted in note 4 above, states that among the group from whom funds may be solicited are certain persons or their spouses, including…”

Answer of the Justices to the House of Representatives, 367 N.E.2d 793 (Mass. 1977). “Inserting G. L. c. 55, § 8A. Other briefs were filed by Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Inc.”

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