Italy is among the European countries with the highest levels of political interference in the media, according to a new report on press freedom sponsored by the Council of Europe.
The annual report from the Platform for the Safety of Journalists placed Italy alongside several other countries where concerns about media independence persist. Those include Hungary, Malta, Turkey, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Poland, Greece, Serbia and Romania.
The report highlights several recent incidents in Italy that it says raise concerns about pressure on journalists and editorial independence.
Among the cases cited is a bomb attack targeting the home of Sigfrido Ranucci. Ranucci is best known for presenting the investigative television programme Report on RAI.
The document also refers to the so-called Paragon case, involving alleged surveillance activities targeting journalists. According to the report, the case raised concerns about the potential use of monitoring tools against reporters working on sensitive political issues.
Another example cited is the dismissal of Gabriele Nunziati, a Brussels-based reporter who worked for the news agency Agenzia Nova. Nunziati said he was fired after asking ‘the wrong’ question. He queried whether Israel might contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza Strip if Russia were expected to fund rebuilding efforts in Ukraine.
Threats to journalists remain a serious concern
The report warns that threats to journalists across Europe remain a serious concern. It further states that political pressure, legal intimidation and attacks on reporters continue to undermine media freedom in several countries.
The Council of Europe and a coalition of press-freedom organisations support the platform, which monitors threats and violations against journalists across the continent.
Italy has faced repeated scrutiny over its media environment in recent years. Observers point to issues such as political influence over public broadcasting, lawsuits against journalists and threats linked to organised crime.
The report calls on European governments to strengthen safeguards for journalists. Furthermore, it requests assurance that media organisations can operate independently without political pressure or intimidation.
