The Deletion of "Rock the Vote" Explained

The Deletion of “Rock the Vote” Explained

While public citizens are unlimited in their ability to speak out for or against political candidates, legal limits are placed on any not-for-profit forum such as NewMusicBox.

Written By

Joanne Hubbard Cossa

The deletion of our columnist Carl Stone’s post “Rock the Vote,” along with its attached responses, has troubled some of our readers and deserves an explanation.

While public citizens are unlimited in their ability to speak out for or against political candidates, legal limits are placed on any not-for-profit forum such as NewMusicBox. No 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization can support or appear to support, rate or appear to rate, any political candidate. While such support or rating was not the intention of Carl’s post, it had the potential to appear so. When the situation came to my attention last week, I instructed the editorial staff, after speaking with Carl, to take it down pending further investigation. Consultation with counsel and government affairs specialists has confirmed that NewMusicBox must not host conversation about political candidates.

Fortunately for all of us, there are forums for such important dialog. Americans for the Arts is just one example.

You might also want to check out Charities Lobbying in the Public Interest, which has more information on the subject.

We appreciate your participation in our forums, and I hope I have addressed any concerns the deletion of the post may have raised. Thank you for your passionate engagement here and within the broader new music community.