2. « I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it» ( Evelyne Beatrice Hall, citation often misattributed to Voltaire ; it became paradigm of freedom of expression )
3. 1948: Universal Declaration Of Human Rights Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. (Art 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10 December, 1948) Free and well-developed press is the foundation stone of the democratic society .
4. 2011- The defense of media freedom continues to be a battle Economic development and institutional reform do not suppose necessarily respect for fundamental rights. “ All around the world the defense of media freedom continues to be a battle, a battle of vigilance in the democracies of old Europe and a battle against oppression and injustice in the totalitarian states around the world”. (Jean-Francois- Julliard, general secretary of “Reporters without Borders”)
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8. The European Union is not a homogenous whole as regards media freedom. On the contrary, the gap between good and bad performers continues to widen.
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11. The falling into the index of some European members may determine European Union to lose its position as world leader in respect for human rights.
12. And if that were to happen, how could it be convincing when it asked authoritarian regimes to make improvements?
13. Italy has one of the lowest levels of press freedom in Europe. A 2010 report by FH classified Italy as "partly free", the only country in western Europe, also ranking it behind most former communist states of eastern Europe. Italy is placed equal to Burkina Faso and in Slightedge over El Salvador. Italy holds a dramatic European record: in the past three years 200 journalists have been intimidated or threatened or ended up under police protection.
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15. According to a report made by the Washington based think tank Freedom House, in 2010 Italy was on the 75th place from the 196 countries rated. The previous positions are occupied by Benin, Hong Kong and India and the successive by an former communist country, Bulgaria. And , conforming with the same independent organization, information in Italy is just partly free. Please see the following link: http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=560&year=2010
21. the repeated attacks to some inconvenient broadcasts ( such as “Anno Zero” realized by Michele Santoro or the broadcast of investigative journalism “Report”) ;
22. the invitation to publicity boycott addressed by the Italian prime minster to business men against the publications on the proscription list;
26. “I am deeply concerned by the climate of violence and intimidation against journalists reporting on such serious matters of public interest, as the organized crime,” Mijatović affirmed. “Attempts to silence investigative journalism undermine democratic values. It is even more alarming that these attacks appear to take place in an atmosphere of impunity.”
27. 28 February 2011- Attack against Fabio Cosma Colombo, journalist of daily Metropolis . Near the city of Salerno, Colombo was beaten unconscious in the presence of a police officer, who failed to intervene.
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29. Local authorities’ harassment of journalists and media outlets who criticize the official investigation in connection with the Kercher murder, as well as the investigation into the Monster of Florence serial killings;
30. Journalists should not be fearful to conduct their own investigations into sensitive matters or to speak openly and criticize officials. In a democratic country such as your own, one that is an integral part of the European Union, such fear is unacceptable.IPI ( International Press Institute): the difficulties Italian journalists face in covering organized crime, particularly in regions in the South of the country in which organized crime syndicates project significant influence
31. Increased intimidation of journalists by organized crime and far-right groups (mafia), especially in the South of the country . Journalists that are making troublesome inquires risk to be assassinated. The writer and journalist Roberto Saviano, author of “Gomorrha”; Italy’s other mafia” has to live under permanent police escort.
32. The freedom of press in Italy does “exist on the paper, but not much on the print paper and almost anything at all on the television” (Marco Travaglio, at the decernation of the freedom of Press Price by DJV Association of German Journalists)
33. “I want everyone to remember what the value of press freedom is. It must no longer be the case that expressing yourself means paying with your soul, your body, your blood. That is freedom of the press.” (Roberto Saviano, writer and journalist, author of “Gomorra” ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1SMth99NlA
