Nidwalden government speaks out against party commercials

 Another canton has expressed its disapproval of free advertising spots from political parties. Granting free airtime is not a suitable measure for ensuring a fair referendum campaign, the Nidwalden cantonal government wrote in a press release on Wednesday. Free airtime is an indirect form of party funding and only covers radio and television, the government continued. It also fears that the parties could demand that the cantons provide means of communication free of charge. The statement refers to the proposal of a National Council committee to grant free airtime for short advertising spots on certain radio and television programs to parties with a strong faction in the Federal Assembly as well as to initiative and voting committees.