(Telestock) – The Commission for services and products of Agcom approved a fine of €206,580.00, equal to twenty times the minimum fine, to Rai for violating the provisions relating to the correct reporting of advertising messages during the “74th edition of the Sanremo Italian Song Festival”.
The violation found concerns the covert advertising of a well-known shoe brand during John Travolta’s performance together with Amadeus, the Festival’s host.
The Authority – explains a note – has deemed “the episode is extremely serious, as the product was displayed during Rai’s main television programme in terms of audience and during the performance of a guest of clear international fame, with significant prejudicial effects to the detriment of viewers”.
In determining the sanction, the Authority took into account the repetition of the conduct by Rai, already sanctioned for episodes of covert advertising during the last edition of the Sanremo Festival.
“Well, that’s great news. Advertising must always be transparent, obvious and clearly recognizable as such.” states Massimiliano Dona, president of the National Consumers Union, underlining that “it is good that the principle that covert advertising cannot be done has been reiterated”.