Abstract

This article analyses the intertwining and exchanges of public aims and private interests in Italian broadcasting institutions and market, as a national version of the present European broadcasting mixed system. It reviews the historical relationship between State and market in the two classic models of broadcasting: the commercial one and that based on a State or public body. The different elements of the economic process - enterprises, factors of supply production, consumers - are briefly considered at a national and world market level as objects and subjects of public and government interests as well as of private lobbyist in legislation, public regulation and institutions, state of national production and international exchanges and spread of broadcasting (and advertising). The peculiarities of the Italian system in terms of law making and relation between principles and reality of broadcasting are finally considered.