His comments came as he addressed the Parliamentary Press Association in the traditional ‘fan’ ceremony before the summer recess.
“Alongside freedom of opinion comes freedom of information, i.e. freedom to criticise, to illustrate facts and reality,” the head of State said.
“In democracy it is also flanked by the right to be correctly informed.
“Information that is also as an antibody against the adulteration of reality.
“Working against the adulteration of reality is a responsibility, and a duty, entrusted first and foremost to journalists.”
The president lamented the physical violence, threats and intimidation journalists are often subjected to.
Mattarella mentioned the case of a reporter for daily newspaper La Stampa who was beaten up at the weekend outside a party involving far-right militants in Turin.
“It must always be remembered that journalists exercise a function that is linked to Article 21 of our Constitution,” he said.
“In recent times, protests, intimidation and aggression against journalists documenting events have been on the increase.
“But this is precisely what reporting is, as in Turin in recent days - documentation of what is happening, without holding back.”
He also bemoaned recent attacks on political figures, including the assassination attempt on Donald Trump and the attacks on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and former Berlin mayor Franziska Giffey.
“It is fundamental and right to reiterate the firm and uncompromising condemnation of this dramatic drift of violence against political figures of opposing sides, who are turned into enemies,” he said.
ANSA
