Liberties Rule of Law Report 2026 - Italy

The 2026 Report confirms the declining trajectory that began in 2022, highlighting a systematic erosion of the rule of law and civic space in Italy, which has earned the country the label of a “dismantler.”

While the Report records no progress within the justice system or the anti-corruption framework, it points to a regression in media freedom and democratic checks and balances. Threats against dissenting voices, the repression of demonstrations, the criminalization of activists, pressure on the independence of the judiciary, and persistent threats against journalists emerge as the most concerning issues.

The bomb attack against Report journalist Sigfrido Ranucci in October 2025 is the tip of the iceberg regarding the current state of media freedom in the country. Throughout 2025, journalists were targeted with legal and physical attacks, alongside smear campaigns by political figures aimed at silencing criticism.

The use of spyware has emerged as a new concern, posing serious risks to press freedom and journalists’ safety. Continuous political interference in the Italian public service media (RAI) keeps the broadcaster in a critically weak position in terms of governance, as well as editorial and financial independence.

Finally, no substantive steps have been taken to transpose or enforce EU legislation. This has resulted in non-compliance with the EMFA and a failure to initiate any transposition of the Anti-SLAPP Directive, potentially exposing the country to infringement procedures.