DERRY, N.H. – The publisher of a New Hampshire weekly community newspaper has been fined $620 after being found guilty of running advertisements for local races without properly marking them as political advertising. Debra Paul, publisher of the Londonderry Times, was acquitted of one misdemeanor charge in November.
Prosecutors did not request jail time but asked for a total fine of $3,720 and 100 hours of community service. Paul’s lawyer, Anthony Naro, requested a $500 fine, arguing that his client had made a mistake and has since corrected the practice.
The attorney general’s office charged Paul last year, stating that she failed to identify the ads with the appropriate language required by state law. Despite receiving warnings in 2019 and 2021, the office discovered that the ads leading up to a local election in March 2023 did not contain the necessary language indicating that they were paid for, and one ad lacked the designation of a political advertisement.
At the trial, Naro emphasized that Paul had not intentionally violated the law, stating that she had misunderstood it. Furthermore, community members voiced their support for Paul, with several newspaper publishers writing letters on her behalf.
State Rep. Kristine Perez of Londonderry spoke in court, expressing her friendship with Paul and announcing her sponsorship of a bipartisan bill to remove the requirement of the political advertising notation in ads. Perez also questioned the current law’s assignment of responsibility for ads placed in news outlets.
In another show of support, attorney Kevin Coyle likened Paul to the main character in the film It’s a Wonderful Life, commending her choice to pursue her passion for reporting over potentially higher-paying careers.
Paul, who earns around $40,000 per year at the newspaper, argued that she had already been serving and volunteering in the community and firmly believed she was trying to do the right thing.
While the judge fined Paul $620 for the misdemeanor charges, it is clear that community members and colleagues stand behind her, emphasizing her dedication to journalism and local reporting.
As Paul’s case concludes, it highlights the ongoing discussions regarding the language requirements for political advertisements and their proper designation. State Rep. Perez’s proposed bill aims to address these concerns and potentially reshape the current law.
