Italy

[IT] Constitutional Court Allows Three Referendums on the 'Mammi' Law

IRIS 1995-2:1/15

Armando Rinaldi

Secretariate of the Garante per la radiodiffusione e l'editoria in Italy

On 11 January 1995, the Italian Constitutional Court has declared admissible, three referendums on Law N. 223 of 6 August 1990 governing public and private broadcasting in Italy (known as the "Mammi" law). Following this decision, the Italians will be asked to vote on the following three questions: 1. Should any private body holding a licence for national broadcasting be only allowed to run a single channel? - 2. Should there be no advertising breaks in films shown on television? - 3. Should there be a prohibition for advertising organisations to obtain revenue from more than two national channels? The referendums are due to be held next Spring.