This new benchmark gives an overview of whether national governments can advertise on linear television, outside election periods. Two aspects are covered: ‘paid political advertising’ and ‘government communication’ which refers to public service announcements (usually free of charge). The question of 'political advertising' is important since government advertising can be a significant source of revenue for broadcasters and can also be a vehicle to promote/explain governmental actions/orientations.

Our research shows a split situation between some liberal countries (such as Finland and Poland) which allow political advertising on television against a payment, and other countries (such as France and Germany) which ban paid political advertising. It also shows that in the selected countries government communication is more generally allowed than political advertising, although the distinction between the two is sometimes difficult to make.

This new benchmark has been published in the scope of our European Media service.