Among our strangest laws is the ban on political and religious advertising on TV. This is perfectly legal in print or on radio, but TV is considered such a powerful medium that voters need to be protected, or else the Nazis will buy themselves back into power with their vast Switz gold reserves, or something like that. This thinking is a leftover from our recent media stone age, when nobody could see the need for a second TV or radio channel, and concerned culture politicians debated - in all seriousness - whether or not to introduce that dangerous new invention, the color TV. TV is such a powerful medium, you see. Viewers are helpless.

The real effect of banning political advertising in the one medium where it would count the most, is of course to make politicians fully dependent on journalists to have their views heard, and to raise the barrier of entry for new or small parties. Recent Scandinavian history shows how the press can work together with established parties to put a lid on controversial issues that many voters care about. That's not how democracy is supposed to work.

One argument against legalization is that political advertising favors wealthy parties. This is of course true, but should be seen as a counterweight to the already massive media power of the government, not as an alien force that disturbs an already perfect balance. Political advertising increases the number of ways the people can make itself heard. Rich people more than the poor, but at least wealth is egalitarian - unlike media power, which is guarded by a left-oriented clique.

Political support for the ban is shaky, though. There's a clean right-left split between the parties, with the Christian People's Party, Labor, the Centre Party and the Socialist Left supporting it, and the Conservatives, the Liberals and the Progress Party being against it. The Progress Party, along with TV2, now intends to break the law in the hope of getting rid of it, claiming that it violates the European Human Rights Convention. (This is similar to the tactics others plan to use against the alcohol ad ban). The Progress Party have tried before, unsuccessfully, but I wish them good luck in trying again.

I agree it's silly. However, in the US we have political ads on TV and I just wanted to warn you they can get on your nerves as election day draws near. I stop watching what little TV I do watch as election day draws near. Can't stand the ads.

The only way I enjoy politics and TV is when our stations sponsor debates among the candidates. That is *very* helpful. Some stations are better at it than others, of course. But, it's nice to hear everyone's position on different issues.

It can also be fun at times because the candidates can become antagonistic towards each other and sometimes the moderator. This behavior can sometimes be helpful. Let's you see how they can perform under pressure, if they are gracious or just whiners, etc. Makes them leave their scripted answers behind.

We have a ban on liquor and cigarette ads on TV. People are so 'progressive' now, they get upset if a movie is shown and one of the chracters is smoking a cigarette!!

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