Italy Political Orientation
Government
Government Type: Parliamentary Republic
Leader: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (2022)
Political Party: Brothers (Draghi)
Political Position: Right-Wing Coalition
Press Freedom
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: 81.03 – Mostly Free
World Press Freedom Rank: Italy 41/180
According to Reporters without Borders, Italy is “Under police protection” The report states, “The level of violence against reporters is alarming and keeps on growing,” with some journalists choosing to self-censor rather than being harassed.
Media Ownership and Government Analysis
Government Influence on Media: The Italian Government influences the media in which direct aid is limited to a special category of newspapers. However, public assistance to media outlets has changed as per a new budget law in 2019 (Law 145/2018). Please see here for detailed information in English and Italian language. News organizations and media are typically owned by strong families linked to political parties. For example, Silvio Berlusconi, the former Prime Minister of Italy, is the major shareholder of the private free TV company Mediaset. Agnelli family owns la Repubblica and La Stampa (through Exor N.V.). Simultaneously, Corriere della Sera is a Milan-based major newspaper owned by Urbano Cairo through Cairo Communication S.p.A.
In general, the media is controlled partially by the Government and heavily by businesses that have ties to political parties.
Last Updated on May 12, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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