Silvio Belusconi has been placed under investigation after wiretaps revealed an apparent attempt to influence Italy's main broadcast network against airing programs unfavorable to the prime minister.

The new transcripts, published in Italy for the first time yesterday, suggest that Mr Berlusconi telephoned a commissioner on the country's independent broadcast regulator, Agcom, after he learned that a show examining corruption cases against him was due to go out on state broadcaster Rai.

"What the fuck are you doing with all this?" the irate Prime Minister shouted at the commissioner, Giancarlo Innocenzi. In another call Mr Berlusconi demands that a show looking at his alleged mafia links be muzzled.

Berlusconi also urged Innocenzi to take the matter up with his superior, but warned him to be careful because "there are voices that say... his telephone is being recorded." That's the great thing about Italy: pretty much everyone is being wiretapped all the time!