Welcome Address by President Meloni
Hello, everyone!
First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to the Order of Journalists, the Press Federation, and the Parliamentary Press Association for organizing this event. I also want to extend my thanks to all the colleagues present here today.
I will keep my remarks brief, building upon the insightful points that have already been shared.
It is somewhat surprising to me that there seems to be a contradiction in the perception of this Government’s stance on press freedom. On one hand, there are concerns about potential restrictions, while on the other, there are commendations for the efforts made by the Department for Information and Publishing, led by Undersecretary of State Barachini. It is important to acknowledge that these efforts reflect the collective choices of the Government, rather than individual decisions.
There have been criticisms about my responsiveness to journalists’ questions. To address this, I asked for a tally of the questions I answered in 2024, and the count stood at 350, which averages more than one question per day.
Regarding my absence from press conferences following Council of Ministers meetings, I believe it is essential for the relevant Ministers who have worked on specific measures to present them. This decision is also motivated by a desire to avoid any perception of ‘leaderism’ within the Government.
Turning to the topics of presumption of innocence and defamation reform, I believe it is vital to uphold the principles of justice while also safeguarding press freedom. The measures introduced by Parliament aim to strike a balance between these objectives, ensuring that information can be shared responsibly without compromising legal processes.
The proposed defamation reform, in particular, seeks to replace imprisonment with fines for cases of knowingly publishing false information with defamatory intent. This approach is intended to address extreme scenarios rather than restrict journalistic freedom.
I agree that there is a need for a broader discussion on the reform of journalism as a profession. While Parliament is already engaged in this process, I welcome any efforts to expedite these deliberations. The evolving landscape of technology and automation poses challenges for various professions, including journalism, and it is crucial to anticipate and mitigate any negative impacts.
Lastly, I am fully supportive of the law on fair remuneration, which now bears my name. The establishment of a monitoring body at the Ministry of Justice underscores the Government’s commitment to ensuring fair compensation for journalists.
Welcome to My Blog
Let’s talk about an important issue that I am fully in support of and ready to assist with. Many professional associations have already put this legislation into action, and I am here to lend a helping hand. I am definitely in favor of it.
Now, let’s address something that has been on my mind. Lately, I have noticed that statements are being falsely attributed to me in the newspapers. It’s concerning to see facts being reported that are simply not true.
As we move forward, starting with this press conference, let’s strive for better communication. I have the utmost respect for your work and would appreciate the same in return. Let’s start fresh and work together respectfully.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts.
[Courtesy translation]
