This report presents the findings of an IPI press freedom mission to Italy carried from 8 to 12 November 2010. The purpose of the mission was to investigate the extent to which the fundamental rights to press freedom and access to information have been eroded after years of concentration of media ownership in the hands of Silvio Berlusconi, who since 1994 has figured prominently in Italy’s political life, either as prime minister or as leader of the opposition.

The anomaly of this situation and the conflict of interest it gives rise to have been condemned by many observers, both within Italy and beyond, as a threat to the system of checks and balances that is the foundation of any democratic system, and therefore to democracy itself.

Under pressure of such criticism, the Italian government, over the past 16 years, has passed a number of laws aimed at addressing the conflict of interest issue. Critics, however, say the laws have been delayed, improperly implemented and in any case fail to address the problem fully.