Italy in news blackout

12 July 2010

Italian news outlets have joined together in initiating a 24-hour content blackout in protest against proposed government legislation.

Daily news titles such as La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera are joining with state-run news channel TGI in participating in the strike, which will see no news reported throughout the day. However, the latter is still planning to broadcast two of its flagship news programmes.

The proposals outlined in the bill, known as the Alfano law, would prevent journalists from publishing transcripts from recorded or intercepted phone conversations.

By striking the news outlets are aiming to recreate the “silence” they believe would be imposed should the law be passed by replacing content with articles explaining the law and its repercussions.

The Italian federation of newspapers has expressed concerns that the law will limit the public’s right to follow the progress of judicial trials. Fears have also been expressed that it would purely serve to protect Italian politicians from scandals.

Josh Colley, London