Vatican Radio Goes Commercial

cross-posted from A Catholic View

Starting in July, the Vatican’s radio station will begin airing paid ads.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican’s chief spokesman, announced at a press conference yesterday that Vatican Radio will transmit ads, beginning July 6.

BBC News reported the move is being taken to help raise the $30 million per year the station currently needs to cover its operating costs.

Vatican Radio broadcasts worldwide in 40 languages on five continents, and is also available on the Internet.

The Italian electricity multinational ENEL has been chosen as Vatican Radio’s first commercial sponsor, BBC reported, and the station hopes to find other advertisers from countries around the world.

All paid ads aired by Vatican Radio will be screened by an advertising agency to ensure they meet the Church’s moral standards, Father Lombardi said.  This is the part I am apprehensive about.

http://www.vaticanradio.org/en1/index.asp

story here