The Mega Bullhorn of Truth — Watching, Questioning and Holding People Accountable!
The October 7, 2026, edition of the Farragut Press featured two political advertisements that caught my attention. Not necessarily because of the candidates, but because of how differently the advertisements handled political advertising disclosures.
Let’s start with the first advertisement.
One of the candidates challenging Republican Congressman Tim Burchett purchased an advertisement promoting a Farragut Town Hall.
What caught my attention was the placement of the political advertising disclosure. The required “Paid for by” statement was prominently displayed in the lower third of the advertisement, rather than buried at the very bottom.
Imagine that! A political advertisement that actually makes an effort to identify who paid for it.
The advertisement is pictured below.
Now, let’s talk about the second advertisement.
One of the numerous Independent candidates challenging Conservative Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee’s gubernatorial race purchased a HALF-PAGE advertisement.
This particular candidate apparently enjoys boasting about spending money to get into the same room with Senator Blackburn.
Well, congratulations!
For the record, I’ve been in the same room with Senator Blackburn at least THREE TIMES A MONTH over the past SIX MONTHS. And I haven’t needed to throw money around like a drunken sailor to make that happen.
But here’s where things get interesting.
The half-page advertisement appears to be missing something important: a “Paid for by” disclosure.
Tennessee’s campaign finance laws establish disclosure requirements for political advertisements. Whether this particular advertisement violates those requirements depends on the applicable law, the advertisement’s content and who paid for it.
But a half-page political advertisement without an identifiable sponsor disclosure certainly raises questions worth asking.
Who paid for the advertisement? Why wasn’t that information included? And did anyone review the advertisement for compliance before it went to print?
As for the candidate, if this is a violation, it raises another question: Is this the first campaign finance requirement he has overlooked?
America needs recreational hot tubs. Plenty of hardworking Americans earn an honest living manufacturing, selling, installing and servicing them.
Maybe he should concentrate on keeping those folks busy rather than trying to buy his way into political relevance.
The second advertisement is pictured below.
A Word to the Farragut Press
The Farragut Press has an important role in informing the citizens of Farragut and West Knox County.
With Early Voting beginning October 14 and Election Day November 3, political advertising will only increase.
Here’s hoping the Farragut Press will take a closer look at the political advertisements it accepts and ensure that applicable Tennessee campaign finance disclosure requirements are being followed.
Political candidates and campaigns have responsibilities. Newspapers accepting their advertising should have standards, too.
The Mega Bullhorn of Truth will continue watching, asking questions and pointing out what others might prefer to overlook.
Because whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or Independent, the rules should apply equally..
HERE IS THE LAW
Tennessee Law Is Clear About Political Advertising Disclosures
Tennessee Code Annotated § 2-19-120(a)(1) specifically addresses political advertising in newspapers and requires covered advertisements to include a clear and conspicuous disclosure identifying who paid for the communication.
Furthermore, T.C.A. § 2-19-120(a)(2) requires candidate-authorized advertisements paid for by the candidate’s campaign committee to identify that committee and its head or treasurer.
And here’s something worth remembering: T.C.A. § 2-19-120(c) classifies violations of this disclosure law as a Class C misdemeanor.
That makes the apparent absence of a disclosure in the October 7, 2026, edition of the Farragut Press a legitimate question deserving an explanation.
The law applies to Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.
#TheMegaBullhornofTruth — Delivering Truth to the #WorldWideWeb through the #TNValley!
