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In Italy Bruno Vespa is considered an important and accredited journalist by many. He has been editor of the TV news “TG1″ (Rai1) for three years and since 1996 he is the host of one the main Italian political talk show “Porta a Porta” (Rai1).
In 1992 when he was editor of TG1 he stated that his reference publisher was Democrazia Cristiana, the party that dominated Italian politics for over fifty years. DC collapsed in 1994 as consequence of Mani Pulite investigation that disclosed a huge corruption at every political level. After the fall of the party many members of DC joined Forza Italia (Silvio Berlusconi’s) so that FI became the party with more Christian Democrats inside.
Owing to his statement Vespa was criticized and accused to use information and journalism for the interest and advantage of political parties and political power.
This critic has been and it still is very recurring in Vespa’s professional life. He is often accused to be too obliging towards political leaders, especially Silvio Berlusconi, and political power. Comedian Beppe Grillo said about him:“Bruno Vespa is a damage for the Country, for free information and for economy”.
In May 2005 he has been wiretapped while speaking to Salvatore Sottile, present President of the Chamber of Deputies’ spokesman. In that wiretap Vespa assured Sottile that he would have done a “made to measure-installment” for Gianfranco Fini (Foreign Minister and leader of Alleanza Nazionale at that time).
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.
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?
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