We released this statement today in reaction to the news on the FTC crack down on several companies:
Federal regulators on Wednesday announced nearly $7.7 million in settlements with six companies - including Craftmatic Industries and ADT Security Services - accused of calling people on the national Do Not Call list.
FTC CRACKS DOWN ON COMPANIES NOT ADHERING TO FEDERAL DO NOT CALL LIST; UNFORTUNATELY, POLITICAL CALLS ARE EXCLUDED
While the FTC cracks down on companies with $7.7 million in fines, politicians are free to call voters at dinner
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, November 8, 2007 – The National Political ‘Do Not Call’ registry (NPDNC) applauds the FTC for cracking down on six companies that have failed to abide by the Federal Do Not Call (DNC) regulations with $7.7 million in settlements. However, millions of Americans continue to have their homes invaded by another telemarketing menace, automated political calls or “robo” calls. While Americans have registered nearly 150 million phone numbers with the DNC during the past four years, Georgetown University research determined that 3 out of 4 voters do not know that political calls are exempt. This gaping loophole has become a national problem. During the final weeks of the 2006 election, 64 percent of voters received recorded messages, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Approximately 40 percent received between three and nine automated phone calls during the course of the campaign.
Voters can now fight back against automated political robo calls by registering for free at, www.StopPoliticalCalls.org, managed by the National Political Do Not Contact Registry (NPDNC). The non-partisan, non-profit registry is designed to stop politicians from calling voters at home, particularly with automated (or “robo”) calls.
About the National Political Do Not Contact Registry
The National Political Do Not Contact Registry is a program of Citizens for Civil Discourse (CCD), non-partisan, non-profit organization (federal 501(c)(3) status pending) dedicated to elevating political discussion in the United States. CCD is based on the premise that the decline of civility in American political dialogue has diminished our nation’s capacity to address urgent problems. Founder and CEO Shaun Dakin believes that citizen action is required to restore decency, respect and common sense to public debate in this country. CCD created the National Political Do Not Call Registry as a first step towards its goal by reducing unwanted political phone calls, particularly automated messages (“robo” calls), which frustrate and annoy voters regardless of party and ultimately reduce political participation. Because the U.S. Constitution protects political speech, CCD advocates addressing this issue not by enacting new legislation but by encouraging voters to talk back and make free speech a two-way exchange. Learn more at www.StopPoliticalCalls.org.
