Pluralism in this context means choice for media consumption and production, as distinct from monopolisation of offerings and opportunities.
Mattarella was speaking at the annual national conference of journalist union FNSI.
"Creating and guaranteeing the conditions for an independent press is the job of the institutions, civil society in its various forms, the media industry and the professional conscience of each journalist", Italy's head of State said.
"An economically healthy economy features a media industry capable of powerfully affirming its function, not directed towards partisan interests, but directed towards applying the Constitution, which reiterates the citizens' right to free information".
The president said it was necessary to intervene, including with the use of public money, to favour media "pluralism" by "supporting "innovation processes that confirm the crucial role of journalistic responsibility and professionalism" in reporting the news.
Mattarella was re-elected as Italy’s president in January 2022, ending days of a sometimes farcical parliamentary voting process that exposed deep divisions within the country’s then governing coalition.
The 81-year-old did not want a new term at the time but was persuaded to stay on after the failure to find a successor.
