Thanks to the Services Contract 2003-2005 between the Rai and the Ministry for Communications, the new Permanent Commission for Discussion on social programming has been set up, under article 30.

Made up of 24 members, 12 representing both parties, nominated by the Ministry and 12 representatives from the Rai, its role is to examine the social programming of this public services company and monitor access transmissions, in light of the principles and instructions in the Services Contract. This is a consulting, monitoring and surveillance body, foreseen in chapter VI of the Contract, where the main Italian non profit organisations and institutions with an important social commitment are jointly represented and come face to face with the public services company regarding the actual enforcement of the Contract itself (article 6, 7 and 8).

The Permanent Commission will meet on the 14 July in Turin, in via Verdi at the Rai Regional Headquarters. There is a plenary meeting at least twice a year, and they operate through the creation of specific work groups. The members of the Commission hold their position for as long as the service contract is valid.