Berslusconi’s Tit For 10 Times More TV Time

…Mr. Berlusconi's American-style media campaign is as novel as it is ubiquitous. Critics say he is unfairly using his position as the head of government, who thus controls public television, and as a media magnate who controls his own stations. According to a study in Italian newspapers, he had more than three hours of television time over two weeks, while Mr. Prodi appeared for only eight minutes.

Ian Fisher, “‘Cyclone Silvio’ of Italy Is on the Air, Everywhere,” New York Times, 1/28/06.