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Electoral Finance Bill critics are claiming the amended bill will see megaphone-toting political protesters classed as a regulated election year activity, but the Government says protesters would need to own a very expensive megaphone.
The justice and electoral select committee's report on the bill has amended the proposed law change's definition of broadcasting to match that in the Broadcasting Act. At the same time it has stressed other forms of broadcasting - such as the use of loudspeakers and microphones - would be covered by a new provision.
That provision is included in the definition of what constitutes publishing a political advertisement. As well as printing, handing out, sending to the public by any means, broadcasting, delivering, playing in a film, and sending or storing electronically, the bill has a new catch-all provision: "bring to the notice of the public in any other manner."
National-aligned blogger David Farrar said that meant loudhailers joined other staples of protest movements such as placards in the list of political advertisements covered by the bill.
He received some backing from Green MP Metiria Turei, who said that the clause was intended to the cover commercial use of loudhailers, such as atop candidate's vehicles.
The Greens would put up changes to amend the bill so individuals were not caught by it, Mrs Turei said.
Select committee chairwoman Lynne Pillay said concerns about megaphones were "red herring stuff" as speaking out aloud had no cost associated to it.
"The bill is about the financing of election campaigns, not freedom of speech," Ms Pillay said.
"If you are speaking into a megaphone ... you can do whatever you like, you can say whatever you like. But if you want to put a $50,000 advertisement in the paper then you have to declare it ... "
