- Europe, like you've never read before -
Monday, 2 June 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • it ITA
  • en ENG
Eunews
  • Politics
  • World
  • Business
  • News
  • Defence
  • Net & Tech
  • Agrifood
  • Other sections
    • Culture
    • Diritti
    • Energy
    • Green Economy
    • Finance & Insurance
    • Industry & Markets
    • Media
    • Mobility & Logistics
    • Sports
  • Newsletter
  • European 2024
    Eunews
    • Politics
    • World
    • Business
    • News
    • Defence
    • Net & Tech
    • Agrifood
    • Other sections
      • Culture
      • Diritti
      • Energy
      • Green Economy
      • Finance & Insurance
      • Industry & Markets
      • Media
      • Mobility & Logistics
      • Sports
    No Result
    View All Result
    Eunews
    No Result
    View All Result

    Home » Politics » Alarm from European University: in Italy “blatant occupation” of public service by government

    Alarm from European University: in Italy “blatant occupation” of public service by government

    The Center for Media Pluralism records a "clear deterioration" in media freedom across the EU. But of particular concern is Italy, not only for public service independence: lawsuits against journalists are growing, "also initiated by government officials"

    Simone De La Feld</a> <a class="social twitter" href="https://twitter.com/@SimoneDeLaFeld1" target="_blank">@SimoneDeLaFeld1</a> by Simone De La Feld @SimoneDeLaFeld1
    27 June 2024
    in Politics
    rai italia

    The Italian radio and television public service, RAI's tower is pictured in Eastern Milano on February 3, 2020. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

    Brussels – Awaiting the EU rule of law report, there comes an alarm from the European University Institute’s Center for Media Pluralism. In Europe, there has been a “clear deterioration” in press freedom. No country is immune. The trend is “worrying” in Italy: on the one hand, lawsuits against journalists, also initiated by government officials, are growing; on the other hand, in 2023, the public service has undergone a “blatant occupation operation by majority political forces.”

    A cold shower for Giorgia Meloni’s government, in what could be a preview of the conclusions that the European Commission report, due July 24, will also draw on Italy. The annual report measuring the state of the rule of law in member countries was originally scheduled for July 3. However, the EU executive preferred to put its adoption by the College of Commissioners on standby, at least until the games for the re-election to the presidency of the European Commission are closed.

    What already emerges from the Media Pluralism Monitor concerning 2023 creates some embarrassment about Ursula von der Leyen’s attempt to seek support—and lavish concessions—from some far-right leaders trying to harness the media in their own country. First among them is the Italian premier, Giorgia Meloni.

    Along with Croatia, Albania, and Greece, Italy is one country with an “increasing number of vexatious lawsuits” against the press, the so-called SLAPP, the reckless lawsuits on which European institutions have recently legislated with a new directive, but also pressure and threats, up from previous reports. In addition, “ongoing reforms of criminal libel laws and legal protections against reckless lawsuits contribute to the increased risk.”

    As for media independence from political power, it is a vale of tears in both the public and private sectors. If the most critical factor remains the independence of the public service media, which in 2023 “underwent a blatant occupation operation by majority political forces,” it is no better in the private sector, where “some important media are under indirect political influence.” Neither the Meloni government’s attacks on RAI (the Scurati case, the resignation of Carlo Fuortes as CEO, and the new rules adopted by the government on par condicio, to name a few) have gone unnoticed, nor the negotiations for the takeover of AGI, Italy’s second-largest news agency, by the Angelucci group, owned by the Leghist MP Antonio Angelucci.

    English version by the Translation Service of Withub
    Tags: euimedia freedom

    Related Posts

    Il presidente della Repubblica, Sergio Mattarella, con la presidente della Commissione europea, Ursula von der Leyen [Bruxelles, 21 maggio 2025. Foto: Emanuele Bonini per Eunews]
    Politics

    Mattarella urges von der Leyen to strengthen social consensus around the EU

    21 May 2025
    Politics

    A plaque for memory: ANPI in Brussels remembers Italian partisans who fell for freedom

    8 May 2025
    Business

    ESM issue is back, Eurogroup still waiting for Giorgetti

    8 May 2025
    Connact 2025 Roma Difesa
    Defence & Security

    ConnAct Defence: focus in Rome on synergies between NATO, EU, and Italy

    15 April 2025
    Defence & Security

    Defence, Perego of Cremnago at ConnAct: “Strengthening national capability and business competitiveness”

    15 April 2025
    Non categorizzato

    Free emission quotas, Italy’s proposal to revise CBAM to boost exports

    27 March 2025
    map visualization
    Flourish logoA Flourish map
    paesi terzi sicuri

    Review of safe third countries frightens socialists, greens, and the left. Tarquinio (PD): “A very dangerous step”

    by Simone De La Feld @SimoneDeLaFeld1
    30 May 2025

    A group of 38 MEPs asks the European Commission for clarification on the compatibility of the proposal with international law...

    EU working on returns to Syria; Frontex says over 1,000 since March

    by Emanuele Bonini emanuelebonini
    30 May 2025

    Brunner: "Creating the conditions for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees." Lifting sanctions on Syria a key element

    Protesters gather in front of the Office of the Hungarian President in Budapest, Hungary, on April 15. The protests erupt after the parliament passes legislation restricting the right to assembly, banning Pride Marches. (Photo by Balint Szentgallay/NurPhoto) (Photo by Balint Szentgallay / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)

    EU Fundamental Rights Agency raises serious concerns over Hungary, urges Brussels to intervene

    by Simone De La Feld @SimoneDeLaFeld1
    30 May 2025

    The crackdown on LGBT+ rights, the ban on Budapest Pride, the law under consideration in Parliament to prevent funding for...

    I candidati alla presidenza Karol Nawrocki e Rafał Trzaskowski (Foto:

    Poland Runoff, a crucial vote for Europe in Trzaskowski–Nawrocki race

    by Marco La Rocca
    30 May 2025

    Poles go to the polls on Sunday to choose a successor to conservative President Andrzej Duda. Trzaskowski starts ahead, but...

    • Director’s Point of View
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Opinions
    • About us
    • Contacts
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie policy

    Eunews is a registered newspaper
    Press Register of the Court of Turin n° 27


     

    Copyright © 2025 - WITHUB S.p.a., Via Rubens 19 - 20148 Milan
    VAT number: 10067080969 - ROC registration number n.30628
    Fully paid-up share capital 50.000,00€

     

    No Result
    View All Result
    • it ITA
    • en ENG
    • Newsletter
    • Politics
    • World politics
    • Business
    • General News
    • Defence & Security
    • Net & Tech
    • Agrifood
    • Altre sezioni
      • European Agenda
      • Culture
      • Diritti
      • Energy
      • Green Economy
      • Gallery
      • Finance & Insurance
      • Industry & Markets
      • Letters to the Editor
      • Media
      • Mobility & Logistics
      • News
      • Opinions
      • Sports
    • Director's Point of View
    • L’Europa come non l’avete mai ascoltata
    • Draghi Report
    • Eventi
    • Eunews Newsletter

    No Result
    View All Result
    • it ITA
    • en ENG
    • Newsletter
    • Politics
    • World politics
    • Business
    • General News
    • Defence & Security
    • Net & Tech
    • Agrifood
    • Altre sezioni
      • European Agenda
      • Culture
      • Diritti
      • Energy
      • Green Economy
      • Gallery
      • Finance & Insurance
      • Industry & Markets
      • Letters to the Editor
      • Media
      • Mobility & Logistics
      • News
      • Opinions
      • Sports
    • Director's Point of View
    • L’Europa come non l’avete mai ascoltata
    • Draghi Report
    • Eventi
    • Eunews Newsletter

    Attention