You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Freedom Of Press Satire And Expression' category.
It is unbelievable, and yet it is true.
Censorship is part of Italian politics, media and people’s DNA, they rise scandalized and terrify at the first sign of freedom of expression and thought.
On Tuesday in Roma, Piazza Navona, there has been a crowded demonstration against Silvio Berlusconi’s Government and his legislative masterpieces.
Intellectuals, artists, journalists and comedians attended it. The leader of Italia dei Valori Antonio Di Pietro, who strongly supported the demonstration, was the only politician to get on the stage and talk. The Partito Democratico, the other opposition party, was absent and criticized those gathered in that square decided to shout their own indignation against the present actions of the Government, despite there were several PD flags waving in Piazza Navona proof that not all electors share their opinions and political choices.
Walter Veltroni, leader of PD, and his “Shadows-Ministers” decided to demonstrate in Fall. Mr Berlusconi is working really hard to pass every sort of unconstitutional and ad personam law (5 in a month) right now, but the biggest Italian opposition party will demonstrate against it after a couple of months. A tortuous logic.
After the demonstration in Roma, censors from every political front, starting from Walter Veltroni, rose for what had been said on that stage and, above all, for what two comedians had said. Besides Italian media simply forgot or just hinted at the reasons why all those people had gathered in square.
During the last days Italian newspapers whispered and hinted at presumed “strong erotic content” wiretaps between Berlusconi, who was leader of the opposition at the time, and the showgirl Mara Carfagna. According to the newspapers during the phone calls they talked explicitly about oral sex.
Another proof of freedom of press. Censorship? In Italy? No way.
Italians do not even know what censorship is, or what it means. In fact most citizens take for granted that censorship is the shadow of journalism and journalism the shadow of censorship.
On Saturday evening, guest of the TV show “Che Tempo Che Fa”, the Italian journalist Marco Travaglio did something atrocious and unpardonable, he did his job. He informed.
Result: a ruckus.
Forgetting that in Italy freedom of press and information have been abolished, off-the-record, Travaglio talked about Italian President of the Senate Renato Schifani’s relationship with people sentenced for mafia.
Tomorrow is the thirtieth anniversary of Giuseppe -Peppino- Impastato’s death. A young man and a journalist who believed in justice and freedom of speech as weapons for a social change.
He is one of the names in the list of innocent victims of Mafia, a sadly long list that reminds the whole Italy and the State that they also have a part of responsibility in these murders.
A Country divided in half, where Centre and North wrongly think that mafia and all its regional relatives are just a South Italy problem, a State that too often forgets about organized crime and a public opinion that closes its eyes in front of reality, this is Italy.
If you are American or you are used to watch satellite TV you will probably know a man called Jon Stewart.
He is the host of The Daily News With Jon Stewart, a funny and smart satirical news show on Comedy Central. 
For the length of the entire show he uses all the arms that satire can offer. Commenting on the latest news he does not save anybody: democrats, republicans, government, journalists, whatever concerns politics and recent events. Nobody is safe. Jon Stewart does not have scruples towards President George W Bush or towards the most important political personalities like Dick Cheney or Hillary Clinton.
The Daily News is not an exception among the American TV shows, there is The Colbert Report or historic shows like the Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the Late Show with David Letterman or the Saturday Night Live, they constantly direct audience’s attention to the behaviours of their politicians and their Government. Great professionals who use satire to amuse the spectator and, at the same time, to inform him. In fact they just do what they are supposed to do, satire is fun and information.
Bush’ Administration doesn’t seem an example of liberalism, but they would never try to cancel one of those shows that have demonstrated, in the course of the years, not to be that indulgent towards them.
So the question is: Mr Jon Stewart have you ever thought to move to Italy?
Your comments!