At the end of each political season the powers in congress always suggest that the airways, being owned by the citizens and monitored by the Federal Communications Commission, ought to be free for candidates to broadcast their message. As a twenty year radio station veteran and general manager, I can say with certainty that chaos is already created every campaign cycle with the insistence that radio stations charge the candidates the lowest rate (aka: political rate) on the rate card. This rate is equal to the lowest rate charged for any commercial. This is one big reason why radio stations must be diligent in enforcing their rate card. If they give a great deal to their best account, come political season, where the bulk of candidate advertising is overwhelming, they profits will be effected as stations must air the ads where commercial space is available.
Understanding this, one can see an opening in the political donation process. Granted, there is a limit on non-cash donations, but in smaller markets, this could be a wind-fall for candidates. There are many voice service companies or announcers within the local radio stations who can produce the commercial. Now the difference is this. Rather than the candidate or candidate