Italians face double-standards charge over media demand

Date:25/09/03

By David Cronin

ITALY'S EU presidency has been accused of double standards for calling on Ukraine to allow greater diversity in media ownership, while premier Silvio Berlusconi continues to exercise massive control over his country's broadcasting services.

A "work plan" prepared by Rome on EU relations with Kyiv states the Union is committed "to promote the diversity of information sources essential to a free society". The paper has been drafted as part of preparations for the EU-Ukraine summit in Yalta (7 October).

While the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said it endorses such statements, its General-Secretary Aiden White insists that the "irony" that a Berlusconi-led government is making them "won't be lost on anybody".

"This is precisely the problem facing the EU," said White. "It goes around the world calling for greater pluralism and an end to media concentration. But the fact is that its credibility is reduced because in Italy the situation is deplorable. Italy is by no means setting the kind of example that you would expect countries in transition like Ukraine to be following."

At present, Italy's three main private TV channels are run by Berlusconi through his Mediaset company. His government is also exerting considerable influence over the board of RAI, the state broadcaster, which also has three stations. (In addition, two large circulation papers, Il Giornale and Il Foglio, are run by Berlusconi's wife and brother respectively.)

In June, print journalists from several other titles and national press agency ANSA went on strike following the resignation of Ferrucio de Bortoli, editor of Italy's biggest daily Corriere della Sera. He was reported to have been intimidated by political forces loyal to Berlusconi for taking an editorial line sharply critical of Italy's support for the US-led military invasion of Iraq. The Italian National Press Federation has remarked that press freedom is "increasingly at risk" under Berlusconi's government.

But an Italian diplomat refuted the criticisms, saying it is the national parliament, rather than the government, that decides key appointments at RAI. "We are not a regime," the diplomat added. "These criticisms are unacceptable. Maybe you should come to Italy and see if the prime minister really controls the media."

The Italian Presidency of the European Council has called on the Ukraine to allow greater diversity in media ownership, prompting accusations of double standards while the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, exercises huge control over Italian media services.