Compliance Case Made Public

For Immediate Release
August 6, 2004

Contact:

Kelly Huff
Bob Biersack
Ian Stirton
George Smaragdis

COMPLIANCE CASE MADE PUBLIC

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has recently made public its final action on a matter previously under review (MUR). This release contains only disposition information.

1.	MUR 5467

	RESPONDENTS:	(a) Michael Moore (b) Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation (c) Lions Gate Films Inc. (d) Cablevision Systems Corporation (e) Rainbow Media Holdings LLC (f) The Independent Film Channel LLC (g) Fellowship Adventure Group LLC (h) Harvey Weinstein (i) Bob Weinstein (j) Showtime Network, Inc. (k) Viacom International Inc.
	COMPLAINANTS:	David N. Bossie, President, Citizens United
	SUBJECT:
	DISPOSITION:	(a-k) Dismiss this matter The complaint alleged that corporate distributors of the film FAHRENHEIT 9/11 are running broadcast advertisements that contain images of President Bush and other federal candidates, which would violate the Act's electioneering communications provisions if aired after July 30, 2004 . The Commission dismissed this matter since the Respondents had not violated the Act because the relevant electioneering communications period does not begin until July 31, 2004 and because the Respondents stated that they did not intend to run such ads during the electioneering communications period.
	DOCUMENTS ON PUBLIC RECORD:	Documents from this matter are available in the FECs Public Records Office at 999 E St. NW in Washington.

*There are four administrative stages to the FEC enforcement process:

1. Receipt of proper complaint	3. ?Probable cause? stage
2. ?Reason to believe? stage	4. Conciliation stage

It requires the votes of at least four of the six Commissioners to take any action. The FEC can close a case at any point after reviewing a complaint. If a violation is found and conciliation cannot be reached, then the FEC can institute a civil court action against a respondent.

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