The general debate around political advertising on television has been that the political advertisements on television concentrate more on the images rather than the political issues and thus, create an electorate who is entertained by the catchy slogans and this hinders a well informed decision. The study investigates the rise of political advertising on television in South Africa and its implications for democracy. It is focused on the 2009 pre-elections and specifically on the political advertisements which appeared on national television during the pre-election period beginning from 30th March 2009 up until 20th April 2009. The study also examines the extent to which political advertisements on television commodify politics. Furthermore, it explores the themes covered in the political advertisements on television and the extent to which these political advertisements focus on the images than the themes. In addition, the study also looks into the underlying issues and complexities, such as regulation and funding and financing issues which are hidden from the public glare, accompanying the images and messages seen on television around election time. Qualitative methods are used and the study is both descriptive and explorative and as means of interpreting the data, thematic content analysis is used. The critical political economy of the media theory is employed as well as the democratic theories of the media, with a key focus on liberal democracy and deliberative democracy. Thus the findings showed that the political advertisements on television in South Africa were informative as they concentrated more on the themes than the images and, in many instances where the images were used it was mainly to support the message. However, the political advertisements had some emotional appeals which communicated emotions of sadness and despair as well as emotions of happiness and success. Character appeals were used at minimum and it was only three political parties which made use of their leaders with only one political party, out of the three, using their leader throughout the advertisement. The issue of commodity in politics was very prominent in the political advertisements on television thus it can be concluded that political advertising on television commodify politics to a large extent in the production and distribution process but to a minimum extent in the content. The implications of the rise of political advertising on television for democracy are twofold because they are both positive and negative. It is recommended that the regulations on political advertising on television be re-visited and reviewed. Thus, a prospective model for the regulation of political advertising on television is also illustrated in the study.

The aim of this thesis is to answer the question whether the ban on political advertising on television and radio, which is laid down in the Czech Broadcasting Act 2001, is in compliance with the freedom of expression. Namely, whether it is in compliance with the Article 17 of the Czech Charter on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. And secondly, whether it is in compliance with the Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The freedom of expression is an essential political right. Therefore, the limitations have to be interpreted restrictively. Moreover, all limitations have to be thoroughly justified. Firstly, the thesis analysis the scope of the ban on political advertising on television and radio. It explains what are the sanctions in the case of violation of the ban. Examples of violations are also introduced. Further, it is referred to the amendment to the Broadcasting Act. This amendement proposes to define "the political commercials". It is not possible to find such a definition in the current version of the Act. Another topic which is discussed is an anonymous advertising. Then attention is paid to the regulation of free airtime. Since, free airtime is divided between all political parties with regard to the Parliamentary elections, elections to the Europena Parliament and elections of...