2024 Media Pluralism Monitor: Italy

This report presents the results of the implementation of the Media Pluralism Monitor in Italy for the year 2023 (MPM2024). The MPM is a holistic tool aimed at assessing the risk to media pluralism in the EU member states and candidate countries. It considers legal, political, and economic variables relevant for analyzing the levels of media pluralism in a democratic society.
Assessment of the risks to media pluralism

In the area of Fundamental Protection, Italy is assessed as having a medium risk level of 36%. This risk level has increased compared to previous reports, and it stems from various factors, including concerns about pressures and threats faced by journalists, pending reforms in criminal defamation laws and legal protections against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), and a worrying trend of increasing criminal and civil lawsuits against journalists. Economic vulnerabilities, particularly for younger journalists, and discussions around restricting access to judicial information further exacerbate risks. On a positive note, the independence of the media authority is legally guaranteed, and basic infrastructure for accessing information remains stable.

In terms of Market Plurality, the risk level remains medium at 61% for 2023, with slight improvement. Economic threats continue to pose risks to diversity and plurality of information, particularly concerning media viability and concentration indicators.

The area of Political Independence presents a medium risk level, overall registering a value of 52%. The major critical factor remains the independence of Public Service Media, which in 2023 underwent a blatant operation of occupation by the majority political forces and a significant reduction of resources from the license fee to support PSM. Strong critical issues also persist in the private sector, where some significant media outlets are under indirect political influence. A real threat to editorial autonomy lies in the constant reduction of revenues for traditional media. The system of public subsidies for publishing, substantially unchanged, continues to distribute resources in a distorted and unreasonable manner.

In Social Inclusiveness, the risk level remains medium (54%). The most critical factors remain those related to gender equality and media literacy. There continues to be systematic underrepresentation of women both in governance and in the leadership of major national media outlets. The critical issues regarding media literacy persist, in the absence of a true national strategy for acquiring and strengthening these skills. As for other aspects, there remains a significant difference between recognized minorities and unrecognized ones. Trust in the media remains significantly low, in a context where the penetration of disinformation on traditional and digital media remains high.

Website: Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom