Media freedom in Italy under growing pressure, warns MFRR
Media freedom in Italy has continued to deteriorate over the past two years, according to the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) coalition, of which Free Press Unlimited is a member. The warning follows an advocacy mission to Rome on 9 and 10 March, where MFRR partners met with journalists, civil society and authorities.
Despite strong constitutional protections for press freedom, several developments are weakening the media landscape. These include increasing political influence over the public broadcaster RAI, spyware surveillance of journalists, legal harassment through SLAPP lawsuits, and concerns about media pluralism.
MFRR partners warn that the Italian government’s continued control over appointments and management at RAI raises serious questions about compliance with the European Media Freedom Act, which requires member states to guarantee the independence of public broadcasters.
Italy also stood out in 2025 as the only EU country where new spyware cases targeting journalists were documented. In one confirmed case, the phone of Fanpage.it director Francesco Cancellato was hacked using Graphite spyware. Investigations into this and other cases are ongoing.
Legal pressure remains another major issue. Italy continues to record the highest number of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in Europe, while strict criminal defamation laws expose journalists to additional legal risks.
Concerns were also raised about media pluralism and the safety of journalists, following the planned sale of major media outlets and a car bomb attack targeting investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci in 2025.
The mission was led by the European Federation of Journalists and included MFRR partners ECPMF, Free Press Unlimited, the International Press Institute and OBCT. A full report of the mission findings will be published in the coming weeks.
Download the full press release below.
