Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been sentenced to a one year jail term by an Italian court.

Thursday's sentence was for making public the taped contents of a confidential phone call in a case related to a 2005 banking scandal.

The media tycoon has denied any wrongdoing, and can seek to have the decision overturned before a court of appeal.

Under Italian law, Berlusconi is not expected to serve any prison term until all possible appeal trials have been carried out.

The 76 year old billionaire is facing two other trials for alleged tax fraud and paying for sex with an underage prostitute.

Berlusconi's centre right coalition was narrowly defeated in February's parliamentary elections.