Italy'sPress FreedomDeclines as Right-Wing Strategy Targets Media Control

Italy has dropped five spots to 46th in the latest world press freedom report by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), citing concerns over businessmen allied to governments taking over media. A key factor contributing to this decline is the proposed sale of AGI, Italy's second-largest news agency, to Antonio Angelucci, a right-wing newspaper proprietor and League MP.

Why this matters: The erosion of press freedom in Italy has far-reaching implications for the country's democracy, as a free press is essential for holding those inpower accountable. If successful, this right-wing strategy could set a dangerous precedent for other countries, threatening the global independence of the media.

The sale of AGI, owned by state-controlled oil giant Eni for the last 40 years, has sparked controversy. Angelucci, who owns conservative dailies Il Giornale, Libero, and Il Tempo, is set to acquire AGI, effectively by Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, a top member of his own party. RSF notes that "an example of some political groups orchestrating the acquisition of the media ecosystem is Giorgia Meloni's Italy, where a member of her coalition is trying to buy the AGI press agency."

AGI's journalists have gone on strike against the proposed deal, while Italy's journalists union and liberal politicians have voiced concerns over freedom of the press and conflicts of interest. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti argue that it is an anomaly for the State to own a news agency.

The RSF report ranks Norway as the country with the highest press freedom, while Eritrea ranks last. The report highlights the growing trend of businessmen allied to governments taking over media outlets, threatening press freedom globally.

In another concerning development, a Rome Criminal Court has convicted Italian writer Roberto Saviano of criminal defamation in a lawsuit filed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The verdict has sparked alarm among Italian and European civil society, with many viewing it as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) aimed at silencing critics of political leaders.

Saviano's lawyer, Antonio Nobile, stated,"The state of affairs is worrying because this trial represents a worsening drift... If we want to consider free expression even in relation to a sharp and strong criticism as a sort of test of the health of democracy, then indeed this conviction is bad news. "The lawsuit is seen as part of a broader strategy by Italy's right-wing government to control the media narrative and silence critics.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has recognized investigative and political journalists as public watchdogs. The prosecutor's office argued that Saviano's criticism of Meloni constituted a personal attack, rather than an exercise of harsh political criticism. The court's decision has been criticized for failing to recognize the context of Saviano's criticism and for portraying a political criticism as a personal attack.

The proposed sale of AGI to a right-wing businessman and the conviction of Roberto Saviano for defamation highlight the growing concerns over press freedom in Italy. As the country's ranking in the RSF report drops and the government appears to target critical voices, the erosion of freedom of expression and the ability of public watchdogs to hold political leaders accountable have become pressing issues for Italian democracy.

Key Takeaways

• Italy drops 5 spots to 46th in RSF's world press freedom report due to concerns over government-allied businessmen taking over media.
• Proposed sale of AGI news agency to right-wing MP Antonio Angelucci sparks controversy and journalist strike.
• Italian writer Roberto Saviano convicted of defamation for criticizing PM Giorgia Meloni, sparking alarm over press freedom.
• RSF report highlights growing trend of businessmen allied to governments taking over media outlets, threatening press freedom globally.
• Italy's erosion of press freedom has far-reaching implications for democracy, as a free press is essential for holding those in power accountable.