San Marino. Orietta Ceccoli: a reflection on freedom of expression
We receive and publish from Orietta Ceccoli a letter addressed to the Information Council of San Marino which contains reflections on the issue of freedom of expression in the Republic.
In the introduction I would like to thank the President and the Board of the Consulta for the information for the timely and timely position taken after the news of the referral to criminal proceedings of 8 citizens who have simply written articles or comments of various contents and asked the newspaper La Serenissima to publish them.
I was reprimanded in these by two operators in the information sector “for having written and asked to publish my comment in the newspaper La Serenissima, a newspaper that in their opinion does not comply with the provisions of law no. 211/2014 “. I reiterated that it is not my job to check or verify the legitimacy of a newspaper, because I believe that there are administrative control bodies, holders of this power. I assure you that all of this, in addition to the criminal referral, is not a pleasant situation.
For some years I have taken the decision to resume my studies in the economic field. Observing the events that take place in the community where I live, I carry out reflections, in an occasional and polite manner, I write comments, which contain analysis, highlighting of critical issues and following proposals.
I send these writings through to local newspapers (Information, Repubblica La Serenissima, Fixing) online (Libertas) by email asking the editorial staff to publish the writings. Sometimes I send my writings and / or comments for information to political parties, trade unions, a few associations and private citizens I know. I have never received any compensation in money or in any other form and I do not wish to receive it. I am not a journalist, I do not intend to pursue this profession. I am a 78-year-old woman who has played a number of professional roles during her life and I think I have done them fairly well. I have always put a lot of effort, rigor and humanity into it. The criminal prosecution for writing in the newspaper La Serenissima confused me, but I’m not afraid.
Having said this, I turn to you, who represent the analysis and verification function of the information sector, to ask you: as a citizen of this Republic I have the right to legitimately act my thoughts, my analyzes, my comments and my proposals in written form and can I ask for their publication to the San Marino media, without being afraid of being subjected to criminal proceedings, censorship or other written ones? The question is about sporadic, sequential actions, without compensation and without employment relationships.
It is understood that by signing the published writings they are responsible for their content, for the criteria of willful misconduct or gross negligence. But this is a problem that is outside the problem of the right to express one’s thoughts, guaranteed by both art. 1 and from art. 6 of our charter of rights.
I ask for your response on the matter and I ask that the position be disseminated as widely as possible so that the entire San Marino community is aware of its rights and freedoms.
In anticipation I offer cordial greetings
Orietta Ceccoli