28/11/2002

The self-regulatory code of behaviour about the way in which minors are treated and reported on Italian radio and television is ready and will become operational on 29 November. The guidelines of the code were set down by the Commission for Reform to the Italian Radio and Television system set up by the Ministry for Communications and presided over by Adalberto Baldoni.
The new code was approved by the board of Italian state broadcaster, Rai, and will be presented officially by minister for telecommunications, Maurizio Gasparri.
Italy already has a self-regulatory code covering TV programmes (passed by Romano Prodi in 1997) but it does not include penalties. Although the new code does not foresee the adoption of any new laws, it does allow for sanctions to be applied to those who break the rules, the toughest being the suspension of the programme in question and the publication of the fine imposed in the Italian media.
Furthermore the mandate of the new code was extended to cover people of up to 18 years of age (formerly the upper limit was 14).
Mediaset and Italy’s other national and local networks are also covered by the terms of the new code.