ABSTRACT
Governments with some degree of affluence are able to support their telecommunications systems by subsidy, either in toto or in part. In some countries, such as the United States and others where systems are totally or largely privatized, and where commercial advertising provides sufficient base for support and even profit, the government provides no funding whatever to broadcasting, with the exception in some cases, as in the United States, for noncommercial and/or public systems. The London International Advertising Awards have been given since 1968 and include political as well as product commercials. The United States is the principal private system in the world supported by advertising, but it did not begin that way. Mexico’s broadcasting system, which exemplifies most of the others in Central America, is largely dependent on advertising and tax monies. A recurring factor in financing telecommunications is the political philosophy of the party in power. Brazil is a prime example of this source of financial support.
