Radio Radicale is the official radio station of the Italian Radical Party. Founded in 1976 as part of the Radio libere ("Free Radio”) movement, it has no commercial advertisements and is partly funded by the party, with support from the Italian government as part of an agreement for the broadcasting of Parliamentary sessions. Despite being an official political party organ, Radio Radicale dedicates its airtime to broadcasting parliamentary live debates from the Italian Chamber of Deputies and the Italian Senate as well as important court cases. It broadcasts Italian political party conventions of all political spectrums, from far right to far left. The remaining airtime is used for programs about current events relevant to the political beliefs of the Radical Party. In December 2008, Radio Radicale was awarded by Italia Oggi as "best specialized radio broadcaster". History Radio Radicale was founded between 1975 and 1976 by a group belonging to the Radical Party in a small apartment near Villa Pamphili, in the Gianicolense district of Rome. Following the liberalization of radio broadcasting by the Constitutional Court between 1974 and 1976, and the spread of small private radio stations, Radio Radicale was known for its use of low-cost equipment but it stood out for its particular philosophy. Radio Radicale set out to create a valid public service alternative to the state broadcaster RAI, using the name “Radicale” (radical not just in reference to its role as a party organ but also for an editorial policy characterized by impartiality, professionalism and innovation. Along with the news about the party, Radio Radicale began a schedule dedicated to the main events of the Italian institutional and political life: since the beginning, its main distinctive traits had been the live broadcasts of parliamentary sessions, congresses of the main parties and important trials, making them accessible to the wide population without interruption or journalistic commentary. The radio station presented press reviews, direct discussions with politicians, man-in-the-street interviews and broadcasts for immigrant communities in Italy. In summer 1986, as the broadcaster risked closure for lack of funds, it received thousands of calls which were put on air uncensored. This was the start of Radio Parolaccia (Radio Swear Word), an original programme where listeners could express their opinions about various themes. The programme was interrupted by the court after one month and the deputy prosecutor Pietro Saviotti signed a seizure decree of the answering machines on 14 August,