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), website, 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. 67 FR 50585 , Aug. 5, 2002, as amended at 71 FR 18613 , Apr. 12, 2006 67 FR 50585 , 8/5/2002, as amended at 71 FR 18613 , 4/12/2006; 89 FR 215 , 3/1/2024