Venice, journalists take to the streets: “Stop gagging on the news”
A young test driver, who was testing an Aprilia bike in Scorzè, died in an accident on 23 October last. But the news of his death broke out, almost by chance, only two months later when the prosecutor gave the task to reconstruct the dynamics. It is one of the most striking episodes, but not the only one: news given days late, or denied by other sources – obviously less authoritative, like me gossip on social media – who relaunch them; and maybe confirm a few days later, but with skimpy details to say the least.
Professional pain grid
About fifty journalists, mostly “black” or “judicial” reporters, launched their “professional pain grid»To Federico Prato, attorney general of Venice, against the distortions of the application of the decree on the presumption of innocence. The provision, which arises from a European directive, while starting from the correct principle of not “condemn the suspect»On the media, however, he concentrated all the power of communication in the hands of the chief prosecutors, making the work of journalists complicated, also to ascertain daily news events, such as a car accident or a robbery. Prato met the reporters in courtyard of Palazzo Grimani, seat of the prosecutors of the second degree. “So we can no longer work and citizens lose their right to be informed,” was the refrain.
News «market»
“Italy is already in 58th place in the ranking of freedom of the press, just think of those” gag-complaints “that 92 percent are filed – said Giuseppe Giulietti, president of the Fnsi, the trade union – As Professor Marina Castellaneta has shown in a text I hand over to you, the Italian translation of the directive was not literal. We also made a statement on this with the Order in Brussels ». “In the prosecutors we find a wall, while we would like a report normal equal to inform citizens, ”added the Venetian secretary Monica Andolfatto. “Not having access to a primary source often creates a” market “on news that leads to a lower quality of information”, the president of the Venetian Order Giuliano Gargano sounded the alarm.
Public interest
Prato confirmed that a meeting with all the prosecutors was held last week, which was also among the items on the agenda. “I will issue a unitary circular to indicate some”good practice“Common in order to make communication more homogeneous – he explained – I ask you only for the patience to wait for a meeting that we will have on 20 and 21 October in the Supreme Court with all the attorneys general”. However, the pg does not have any hidden difficulties: “I cannot impose anything on the prosecutors, any of them he has clearer ideas, others are more prudent – he concluded – The decree speaks of public interest but it is not well defined: it will be up to us to compile the concept with contents ».
The Corriere del Veneto newsletter
If you want to stay updated on the news of the Veneto, subscribe to the newsletter for free Courier of the Veneto. It arrives every day straight to your inbox at 12 noon. Just click here.
September 22, 2022 (change September 22, 2022 | 20:10)
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED