Amidst Italy’s deteriorating environment for media and journalists, the International Press Institute (IPI) and other Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners unveil their latest mission report. In May 2024, the MFRR members conducted an urgent mission in Rome, followed by a series of online meetings. During this time, the MFRR discussed the state of press freedom in the country with Italy-based journalists, regulators, civil society groups, and lawyers. The conversations highlighted an alarming contraction of media freedom and pluralism, as well as journalists’ freedom to do their job.
The MFRR coalition’s latest report summarises the findings of the press freedom mission which took place in Rome, Italy, on 16-17 May 2024. The report highlights key challenges facing Italian journalists and media including:
- The lack of independence of public media
- Systematic legal intimidation against journalists by public officials
- Potential acquisition of AGI, one of Italy’s main news agencies, and consequent conflict of interest
The report includes recommendations for authorities and policymakers to reduce media capture, improve journalist safety, and prevent legal harassment of the press. These reflect landmark recent legislation from the European Union, such as the European Media Freedom Act and the Anti-SLAPP Directive, aimed at protecting media independence and journalists’ rights.
The publication was produced by Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) with contributions from partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), including IPI. MFRR is a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors, and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. The project is co-funded by the European Commission.
