The Italian parliament in 1993 passed a law (no 515) concerning 'Discipline in the electoral campaigns for the election of the House of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic'. It governs access to the media by candidates, creating different procedures for the public and private media.
Public Broadcasting
The public broadcaster, RAI, is answerable to the Parliamentary Address and Surveillance Commission, which is composed of 20 members of each house of parliament. In 1994 the commission issued guidelines for RAI to guarantee 'equal opportunities for appearances for all the parties and movements participating in the electoral campaign'. It established a viewing centre that allows it to monitor all RAI output during the campaign period. The commission also formulated rules for direct access election broadcasts by the parties on RAI.
Private Media
A regulatory body known as the Guarantor for Radio, Television and the Press was created by the Italian press law. Its mandate was extended to radio and television in 1990. The Guarantor is appointed by the (non-executive) President of the Republic on the basis of parliamentary recommendations. Law No 515 gave the Guarantor additional powers in relation to elections. In summary these are to:
- Ensure equal access by the political parties to the press and private broadcasters
- Determine the maximum and minimum fees for political advertising.
He or she is obliged to issue a regulation governing electoral coverage.
The Guarantor is assisted by Regional Committees for Radio and Television. Again, these are pre-existing regulatory bodies. They play essentially a monitoring role, informing the Guarantor where the regulations and Law No 515 have been complied with.108
