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Rome Rally for Press Freedom Draws Cross-Party Crowd, Exposes Split Over Lawsuits

The demonstration highlighted gaps in protections for journalists following EU calls for a full investigation.

Overview

  • A public demonstration in Piazza Santi Apostoli in Rome backed Report host Sigfrido Ranucci after a violent attack on him.
  • Fratelli d’Italia’s Lucio Malan, Galeazzo Bignami and Giovanni Donzelli attended from the crowd, while centre-left leaders spoke on stage.
  • FdI representatives declined to withdraw their defamation complaints against Ranucci or endorse changes targeting abusive lawsuits.
  • Ranucci told attendees that attempts to halt Report would backfire, and he said some complaints against him had been withdrawn.
  • EU Commissioner Marta Kos condemned the attack and pressed for an investigation, as Italy has not yet transposed the European Media Freedom Act, raising the risk of an infringement case.