Prime Minister signs decree giving reprieve to one of his television stations
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has accused Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of taking a step that is “a flagrant and shocking example of conflict of interest in the media.” On 23 December 2003, Berlusconi, who is both prime minister and the owner of a media empire, signed a decree giving a reprieve to Retequattro, one of […]
IFJ welcomes president’s decision to block communications law
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 16 December 2003 IFJ media release: Journalists Welcome Italian President’s Decision to Block New Law: “A Victory for Democracy and Media Pluralism” The International Federation of Journalists and its regional group the European Federation of Journalists today welcomed the refusal by Italian President Carlo Ciampi to sign into effect […]
RSF urges president to veto broadcasting law to protect press freedom
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has urged Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi to veto the Gasparri Law on Television Broadcasting. The law was passed by Parliament on 2 December 2003. The organisation believes it is a threat to press freedom. The law is meant to pave the way for terrestrial digital television, but it also allows companies […]
Shots fired at journalist’s home in Sardinia
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has condemned an attack in the early hours of 21 October 2003 on the home of journalist Giovanni Maria Sedda in Gavoi, a village near Nuoro in Sardinia. Six shots were fired at the front door just before 1:00 a.m. (local time). Sedda was at home, but neither he nor anyone else […]
Sicilian journalist who had been investigating drug trafficking attacked by thugs
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced concern about an assault on Massimiliano Pisano, a journalist based in Giardini Naxos, eastern Sicily, who had been writing about drug trafficking in the area. A correspondent for the Catania-based daily “La Sicilia”, Pisano was accosted by three thugs as he left a discotheque near Recanati on 7 August 2003 […]
Two bills that could favour Berlusconi’s media empire progress through parliament
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has warned of the dangers to press freedom posed by two bills that came before parliament on 22 July 2003. The Senate approved the Gasparri bill on broadcasting reform, while the Chamber of Deputies passed a bill supposedly aimed at addressing claims that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s ownership of a media empire […]
Journalists stage national strike over editor’s resignation, perceived threats to press freedom
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: World Journalists Back Strike by Italian Press: “A National Crisis, With Global Consequences” The International Federation of Journalists today backed a strike by Italian journalists and press workers over government policy in Italy which, says the Federation, highlights a “national crisis with global consequences for media […]
Media conflicts of interest: an Italian anomaly
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 23 April 2003 RSF press release: A media conflict of interest: anomaly in Italy Reporters Without Borders released a report today that looks at the conflicts of interest between the public office held by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, which includes a major say over the state-owned TV broadcaster RAI, […]
IFJ concerned that adoption of new media law will further endanger pluralism
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: European Journalists Condemn “Monstrous” Media Law As Italy Supports Concentration The European Federation of Journalists, the regional group of the International Federation of Journalists, today warned that the adoption of a “monstrous and dangerous” new media and communications law by Italian senators will further endanger pluralism […]
IFJ calls for action to protect newspapers’ editorial independence
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: “Moment of Truth” for Press Freedom in Italy As Journalists Warn of Threat to Newspapers The International Federation of Journalists today called on political leaders in Italy and the European Union to confront the growing media crisis in Italy following an appeal yesterday by journalists’ leaders […]
Italian journalist in Paris risks imprisonment if he returns home
(RSF/IFEX) – On 25 November 2002, RSF protested the two and a half year prison sentence for libel imposed on journalist Raffaele Jannuzzi by a Naples court. On 20 November, the judicial authorities refused to grant the 74-year-old journalist “partial freedom” or convert his prison sentence to house arrest. “Sentencing journalists to prison terms for […]
Former prime minister convicted for ordering journalist murdered
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 19 November 2002 CPJ press release: ITALY: Former prime minister convicted for ordering journalist murdered New York, November 19, 2002-An appeals court in the central Italian city of Perugia announced this week that it had convicted former prime minister Giulio Andreotti, 83, and sentenced him to 24 years in […]
RSF asks Italian president to implement measures guaranteeing journalists’ security
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 29 October 2002 RSF letter to Italian President Silvio Berlusconi: Paris, 29 October 2002 Mr. President, Reporters Without Borders asks you to do everything possible to ensure that the European Social Forum that is to be held in Florence from 6 to 10 November is not marred by any […]
Episode of satirical television series banned
(RSF/IFEX) – On 11 October 2002, RSF condemned the state-owned RAI broadcasting network’s ban on a special episode of the satirical programme “Blob”, which focused on Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The organisation described the move as “a deliberate attempt to bring the state-owned TV station to heel.” “Banning a quality satirical programme such as […]
Seven foreign correspondents receive death threats
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is concerned about the death threats received by seven foreign correspondents from American and Israeli media in recent days. The letters sent to the targeted journalists made reference to the Red Brigades, an ultra-leftist group. “These threats must be taken seriously, even if it is proven that there is no involvement of […]
Anti-terrorist police search two journalists’ homes
(RSF/IFEX) – On 20 August 2002, RSF protested anti-terrorist police (DIGOS) officers’ 19 August searches at the homes of two journalists, Fiorenza Sarzanini, of the national daily “Corriere della Sera”, and Mario Menghetti, of the national daily “Il Messaggero”. The searches followed both national dailies’ publication of articles about the violence at the G8 summit […]