A controversial law curbing wiretaps and imposing heavy fines on journalists who publish leaked ‘wiretap’ material was passed today by the Italian Senate. The president of the Italian Senate announced that the much-debated wiretap law had been approved by the Senate with 164 votes in favour. Of a total 323 senators, only 189 were in […]

An Italian draft law on wiretapping is to be voted on by the Italian Senate in the coming hours, according to Italian news reports. If passed, the ‘wiretaps’ bill would impose heavy restrictions on magistrates seeking wiretaps, and on journalists who want to publish leaked ‘wiretap’ material. The restrictions would remain in place until the […]

A draft law, due to go before Italy’s full upper house of parliament next week, banning the media from reporting on criminal investigations before they come to trial – which can take years – has united Italian journalists in anger at what they have branded an attack on press freedom and democracy. The draft bill […]

Italian state broadcaster RAI last week suspended political talk shows ahead of key regional elections. The board of RAI, dominated by supporters of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, voted to cease airing the shows in the run-up to the 28-29 March polls to avoid possible sanctions from a parliamentary committee, Reuters reported. RAI is temporarily replacing […]