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Berlusconi TV influence 'undemocratic' Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, owner of Mediaset, has been criticised for holding a near monopoly over the country's broadcasting rights during a case at the European Court of Human Rights. Berlusconi, who owns three of Italy's commercial terrestrial networks through Mediaset and indirectly controls pubcaster Rai as PM, is embroiled in a case brought by Centro Europa 7. The national broadcast network says it has been purposely denied an airing frequency for more than 10 years. James A Goldston, executive director of pro-democracy group Open Society Justice Initiative, which intervened on the case as an independent third-party, said in a statement: "Italy has the most concentrated television ownership in Europe. This lack of diversity can stifle debate and limit the public's access to information and critical perspectives." Europa 7 was initially granted a broadcast licence in 1999, but its national broadcast frequency was later given to Rete 4, a Mediaset network, by Berlusconi. It has since been granted full broadcasting rights but has yet to air. Goldston added: "The Italian situation is unacceptable for a democracy, and we are calling on the European Court to uphold the principles of media pluralism." Last month, the Italian courts made a ruling limiting the amount of advertising on pay-TV networks in Italy, in a move likely to hit Mediaset's rival Sky Italia. However, Mediaset does control some pay networks of its own. Mediaset was unavailable for comment at press time. Jesse Whittock 12 Mar 2010 © C21 Media 2010 
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