Freedom of the press in Italy, writes the NGO in the factsheet dedicated to the country published on its website, “continues to be threatened by mafia organisations, particularly in the south of the country, as well as by various small, violent extremist groups”.
“Journalists also denounce attempts by politicians to obstruct their freedom to cover judicial cases by means of a “gag law” – “legge bavaglio” – on top of the SLAPP procedures that are common practice in Italy.”
Alessandra Costante, Secretary General of the FNSI Italian journalists’ union, said, “The process of ‘Orbanisation’ of Italian information continues inexorably, as the RSF rankings show.”
“Italian information is caught between threats from the underworld and actions to freeze media freedom carried out without interruption by Parliament.
“In a year nothing has changed, if anything things have been worsening.
“While the Italian Parliament is studying how to get its hands on the Journalists Guild, it is doing nothing to abolish prison for defamation through the press.”
ANSA
