Berlusconi critics say his media influence is already too wide

Members of the lower house of parliament voted to add an amendment to the bill, which has the effect of sending it back to the upper house and possibly delaying its journey by several weeks.

The amendment concerned a minor provision not linked to the bill's controversial proposals, but government critics said the vote was a blow to Mr Berlusconi and a demonstration of tensions within the governing coalition.

The bill contains a number of different provisions, including the creation of multi-channel digital broadcasting.

But in a key boost for Mr Berlusconi's media empire, the bill would allow his Mediaset company to keep all three of its main TV channels, reversing a court ruling that one must be sold off.

I don't think it's a political problem Maurizio Gasparri Communications Minister

He would also be allowed to extend his newspaper interests after 2009, critics say.

The amendment passed by the house bans children under 14 from appearing in television advertisements.

Several opposition politicians shouted "Freedom, Freedom!" after the vote.

Francesco Rutelli, the leader of the centrist opposition party Daisy, described it "as a great parliamentary victory".

The coalition has taken a hit because at least some of them in a secret vote were ashamed by this pig's ear of a bill Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio Green party leader

But Communications Minister Maurizio Gasparri played down the significance of the result, in which 35 members of the governing coalition voted against the official line.

"I don't think it's a political problem," said Mr Gasparri. "Examination of the bill will carry on."

"It's not what we were expecting but it's not the end of the world," said Ignazio La Russa, leader of the right-wing National Alliance's parliamentary group.

The amendment, put forward by left-wingers, was passed by 284 votes to 278.

Left-wing critics claim the media bill will allow Mr Berlusconi's already-vast empire to expand still further.

But the government insists it will prepare the way for digital broadcasting and allows the Italian market to compete better with foreign providers.

Wide interest

The tycoon is Italy's richest man, and as well as his three Mediaset channels - Italia 1, Rete 4 and Canale 5 - he holds political influence at the board of state broadcaster Rai.

Through a holding company, Fininvest, he also has press interests at the Panorama and Il Giornale papers, publishing interests at Mondadori publishing house and cinema rights.

The vote was conducted by secret ballot, which some observers said may have encouraged wavering government rebels to back the amendment.

"The coalition has taken a hit because at least some of them in a secret vote were ashamed by this pig's ear of a bill," said a triumphant Green party leader, Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio.