Brazilian Political Parties Spend R$6.8 Billion in Public Funds

On March 3, 2013, A Tarde reported that political parties in Brazil, through free radio and television ads, have cost the federal government some R$6.8 billion over the past ten years.  In practice, the Brazilian government pays subsidies to television networks to air political party advertisements close to the election season.  The expense to the public has actually grown each year as well:  between the 2002 and 2010 general elections, airtime costs rose from R$370 million to about R$1.15 billion, an increase by about threefold.  One big reason for the increase is the rising costs of running commercials throughout Brazil.  Read Article