Italy Bans TV Porn

The Italian Communication Authority has banned softcore porn from the nation's airwaves. Effective in two weeks time, the decision will force about 500 stations from Italian TV, with a 50,000 Euro fine for those who violate the new law.

Variety estimated the viewing audience for soft-porn in Italy at an average of one million viewers nightly. According to the Variety report, Italy's permissive TV porn policy has been famed since the 1980s when Silvio Berlusconi-owned channels began airing the topless quiz show "Tutti Frutti."

The Rupert Murdoch-owned Sky Italia will be the only channel permitted to airing adult content with the network's "Hot" pay-channels.