Economy, Communications

Since the abolition in 1976 of the Italian government’s monopoly on broadcasting, the number of stations in the country has increased to more than 160 radio and 80 television broadcasters. While the number of daily newspapers remains small relative to Italy’s population, total circulation was 6 million in 1996, or 104 copies for every 1,000 residents. Readership in the north and central portion of the country accounts for four-fifths of the sales. Local and regional publications, including those produced by political parties and by the Roman Catholic church, are an important part of Italy’s communications network. Influential dailies include Corriere della Sera and Il Giorno, in Milan; La Repubblica, in Rome; and La Stampa, in Turin. In 1997 Italy had 880 radios and 528 televisions for every 1,000 people.