The Fernandez administration spent RD$255.3 million in advertising during the final quarter of the year. The government is the country’s leading sole advertiser. The political parties spent RD$46.8 million during the same period. Civic group Participacion Ciudadana called a press conference yesterday to publicize the amount spent on political advertising in this country.
Upon releasing the data, PC urged political parties and the government institutions to carry out more austere campaigns in order to dignify politics and strengthen the democratic system.
Of the RD$255.3 million, the Executive Branch spent RD$214.6 million (84%), the Legislative Branch RD$18.1 million (7%), and the Judicial Branch RD$1.7 million (0.67%). Other government institutions’ advertising spending included city governments with RD$20.2 million (7.6%), and the Central Electoral Board (JCE) with RD$648,585 (0.25%).
The breakdown for the political parties was the ruling PLD with RD$20 million, the PRD with RD$17 million and the PRSC with RD$8 million.
The Executive Branch spent 63% of its advertising budget on TV spots, 21.6% in press, and 15% on radio spots. The legislative branch spent 94% of its funding on TV spots.