Projects

Italian Journalism in the Age of Silvio Berlusconi

What's happened to Italian news media in the last two decades, and what was it like before?

Reporting China

Chinese journalism after market reforms: the possibility and dangers of investigation.

Russian News is Good News

The remaking of Russian journalism, and Russian journalists, in the age of Vladimir Putin.

Independent Journalism in Post-Independence States

The perils and possibilities of holding power to account in different African countries.

The Pipers and the Tunes

A comparative perspective on the power of proprietors, public service and people to influence the content and limits of journalism.

The Peripheral Vision of Central Issues

How good is the coverage of matters essential to public welfare and the public interest? And who cares about it?

What's happened to Italian news media in the last two decades, and what was it like before?

Italian Journalism in the Age of Silvio Berlusconi

What's happened to Italian news media in the last two decades, and what was it like before?


On women's bodies and body blows

The Axess Programme hosts a seminar on the depiction of women on the Italian media.

From mirror to looking glass

TG1 used to be a mirror of politics. Now it is a unique looking class in the world of Italian media.

What Cleggflop means for Italy

Policies matter for elections. But so does TV.

What Cleggmania means for Italy

Sudden turnarounds in the polls are possible. However, they are less likely to occur in the presence of polarised media and of old faces.

Do Italians not care about scandals?

Berlusconi's victory at the recent regional elections leaves foreign commentators wondering whether scandals matter in Italian politics. As with many other things in Italy, the answer to this puzzle has to do with journalists' ethos.

On Rai per una Notte

Michele Santoro's experiment leads to three sets of thoughts.

One talk show on the web does not make a summer

Politics has obliged Italian talk shows to migrate from TV to the web just before the elections. Although this may contribute to the long-run development of on-line journalism, in the short run the most likely reaction is growing disillusionment.

The line not to cross

The recent editions of TG1 have been a source of endless controversy. Over the Mills' case, it has gone one step too far.

Towards a bipolar journalism?

Since it was first applied to politics, the word "bipolar" has acquired a positive connotation. Minister Zaia's proposal to apply it to journalism may bring it back to its other darker meaning.

A matter of opinion

The differences among the views expressed by Italian public service broadcasting (PSB) news are becoming more and more extreme. The result is the loss of an important umpire for Italian democracy.

Sarkoberlusconism: a new politics of the Imaginary?

A report from the GREPIC's debate on Italian TV and politics held in Paris.

The Italian way to the Huffington Post

Luca Sofri does not like sloppiness in journalism. This is why he has serious plans for his blog, Wittgenstein.

Ten answers (from the left)

Ten Questions are asked to the Italian left. Pippo Civati, a rising star of the party, takes the bull by the horns and answers them

The abolition of journalists

Italian talk shows have serious problems, but suspending them a month before the elections is far from being the right solution.

The tyranny of numbers

Holding politicians to account starts from checking their statements. By doing so with regard to economic statistics, lavoce.info is doing Italy a favour.

Riso amaro

Beppe Grillo, Marco Travaglio and their anti-Berlusconi rhetoric are cheered by hundreds of Italians in Paris. But the absence of an exit strategy makes their laughter sour.

Surprising twins

La Repubblica's way of conducting inquiries may be starting to find disciples abroad.

Beppe Grillo in Oxford

A discussion on Beppe Grillo as demagogue, political activist and comedian.

Jumping the fence

Italian journalists are increasingly being picked to run in elections. This may be a sign of their strength, but also of some of the weaknesses of their profession.

A Chilean Silvio?

Sebastian Piñera is seen by many as the South American version of the Italian Prime Minister. But is he really?

A battle of perspectives

The fight over Craxi's legacy is only the premise of a much more controversial one, which will keep Italian commentators busy for many years to come.

From unanswered questions to unasked ones?

Ezio Mauro, La Repubblica's editor, goes on TV to give his views on the relation between media and democracy. Among many interesting points, one seems to make some raise their eyebrows.

Shows and shops

Italian talk shows have some great merits. But they would benefit from more questions.

Punching below the waist

The vile attack on the Prime Minister has triggered a campaign against a number of newspapers. This is the wrong tree to be barking at.

A greener grass

The attention of the Italian media to everything which is published on the British press suggests more than simple open-mindedness.

Why Silvio?

Beppe Severgnini lists five possible reasons why Italians vote for Berlusconi, but leaves the ranking open. Any takers?

De Benedetti on Newspapers and Democracy in Italy

Carlo De Benedetti gave the annual Reuters Memorial Lecture at the University of Oxford on 23 November.

A certain idea of the country

During the Reuters Memorial Lecture, Carlo De Benedetti, chairman of Repubblica-Espresso group, shared his thoughts on media and democracy in Italy

A country turned crime fiction

The mysterious death of a transexual makes shadows reappear on the Italian democracy.

From works of art to virtual gazebos

The role of signatures in Italian newspapers is changing

Ten questions down

Berlusconi finally decides to reply to La Repubblica's ten questions. However, the situation of Italian media still leaves a number of issues unanswered.

Too many hats?

A new sex scandal in Italy strengthens the case of those who think that Berlusconi's conflict of interests is untenable. However, it may also support the view that Italians have good reasons not to care about it.

A phoney interview?

Two observations about Italian journalism emerge from Sivio Berlusconi's latest habit.

A remedy worse than the illness?

Prof. Mancini on the par condicio law

Searching for Berlusconi ancestors

A new, unexpected character joins the list of those who preceded the Italian PM in understanding the importance of the link between media and politics.

Ten questions, many answers

The panel on the La Repubblica case and on press freedom in Italy generated substantial attention and some interesting answers.

What freedom? Whose freedom?

The debate over the Italian media goes to Oxford

Italy and press freedom

Not quite the World Cup

A Turquoise Revolution

Giving life to a wooden opposition

Investigative journalism?

Raimondo Mesiano and his very ordinary day

Pirlo or Gilardino?

A tale of an editor

Benvenuti

Media and Democracy in Italy