Internet e campagne elettorali: la prospettiva dell'ordinamento italiano

This paper intends to discuss the issue of regulation of social networks as a media space employed by political actors (individuals or organizations) for the formation of public opinion and the construction of consensus in the context of the electoral campaigns: in more synthetic terms, social networks as an instrument of electoral propaganda. The main subject of my essay will concern, therefore, the problems de iure condito and de iure condendo about the subjection of communication on social media to rules aimed at ensuring a fair comparison between parties, lists, candidates in the electoral competition and, with it, the value of freedom and authenticity of the vote that emanates from article 48 of the Italian Constitution. This substantiates a constitutional directive in favor of a regulatory intervention of the legislator, called upon to achieve an adequate balance between the many rights and interests involved. KEYWORDS: social media; political communication; electoral campaigns; freedom of speech; righ