Mediaset contests AGCOM fine

Italian broadcaster Mediaset is once again locked in combat with regulator AGCOM over the latter’s decision to levy the maximum fine possible on news services Tg4 (from Mediaset’s Rete 4 channel) and Studio Aperto and Tg1 (from public broadcaster Rai’s Italia 1) for breaking electoral rules by giving excessive airtime to interviews with prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Tg1 and Tg4 were each fined €258,230, while Mediaset’s Studio Aperto and Rai’s Tg2 service were fined €100,000 each.

Mediaset issued a statement saying it was “astounded” at the fines and accused the regulator of preventing the channels from “doing their job” of presenting news and information to the public. Mediaset has appealed against the decision at the Lazio Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale (TAR).