Communications Regulatory Authority

Commission for Services and Products’ scope, depending on it having been ascertained
as committed respectively by undertakings referring to a holder of government offices,
his/her spouse and/or relatives within the second degree, or by undertakings not being
under this kind of control.
2.14. “PAR CONDICIO” (equal access to the media in electoral campaigns) and
INFORMATION PLURALISM
The Communications Regulatory Authority acts as a watchdog with regard to the
implementation of current regulations governing political propaganda and information,
within the scope of its tasks as set out in article 1, paragraph 6, letter b, no. 9 of law no.
249 of 31 July 1997, as well as information pluralism and protection of the principles of
information fairness, completeness, impartiality and objectivity, under articles 3 and 7
of legislative decree no. 177 of 31 July 2005.
The watchdog function is closely linked to the supervisory and regulatory
actions, respectively through the monitoring of national radio and television
broadcasters and the press, and through regulations governing cases as provided for by
law-makers with law no. 28 of 22 February 2000 setting forth “Provisions aimed at
ensuring equal access to the media during electoral and referendum campaigns, and at
governing political broadcasting”, and pursuant to above-mentioned articles 3 and 7 of
legislative decree no. 177 of 31 July 2005.
The implementation of regulations adopted by the Communications Regulatory
Authority and by the Commissione parlamentare per la vigilanza dei servizi
radiotelevisivi, the Parliamentary Supervisory Board for the general policy of radio and
TV broadcasting services - within their respective scope and in view of different
elections - and the verification of lawbreaking which are committed, both aim at
initiating preliminary investigation proceedings which then result in the adoption of
final measures by AGCOM’s Commission for Services and Products.
The scope of AGCOM’s action covers national private radio and television
broadcasters, the press, the radio and television general public service concessionnaire –
as regulated by the Commissione parlamentare per l’indirizzo generale e la vigilanza
dei servizi radiotelevisivi, the Parliamentary Supervisory Board for the general policy of
radio and TV broadcasting services – as well as local radio and television broadcasters.
As regards supervisory and guarantee actions and preliminary investigations relating to
the latter, AGCOM has recourse to the collaboration of Co.re.coms. (regional
communications committees, see par. 3.4.), its functional bodies, whose role, as
originally provided for by law no. 28/00, was extended by special provisions intended
for local radio and television broadcasting following amendments to law no. 28/00 by
law no. 313/03 (introduction of a specific “Heading” into law 28/00; adoption of the
self-regulation code issued by the Minister of Communications’ decree of 8 April
2004).
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