How does fascism develop out of (or return to) a democratic state? Look no further than Italy. Last week we followed Berlusconi’s adventures at the G20 (and we didn’t even get to his antics at the NATO meeting in Germany). Predictably, the Italian press has been all over these gaffes, rightly noting how silly Berlusconi looks and how damaging such behavior is to Italian national interests. His response?
Italy’s prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has made an ominous threat to the Italian press of “direct and tough” reprisals after unflattering reports of a number of diplomatic gaffes he committed at the round of summits in Britain, France and Germany.
Berlusconi berated journalists for their coverage after he skipped an official Nato photo and kept the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, waiting at the end of a red carpet while he finished a conversation on his mobile phone.
Last week, Italian and foreign newspapers had a field day when the eccentric billionaire appeared to irritate the Queen by shouting out to Barack Obama during a photo call (though Buckingham Palace later denied any ill feeling).
It is the first time Berlusconi, who controls most of Italy’s television networks, has made such intimidating noises about the press. The professional body representing Italian journalists said his comments were of “unprecedented gravity”.
Berlusconi’s remarks come amid mounting concern among opposition politicians over his apparent impatience with democratic constraints. Already this year he has clashed with the president, Giorgio Napolitano, over an attempt to override the judiciary, and with the speaker of the chamber of deputies, his ally, Gianfranco Fini, over his government’s use of decrees to sidestep parliamentary debate.
Speaking to reporters in Prague late on Saturday, Berlusconi said the Italian press had “no other aim than that of saying the prime minister has committed faux pas or gaffes”. In fact, he said: “I am here to represent Italy precisely because there is no one else [to do so], and out of a sense of responsibility.”
After accusing journalists of “defaming me and misinforming readers”, he added: “I don’t want to go as far as to talk about direct and tough actions in respect of certain newspapers and press personalities. But, frankly, I’m tempted.”
His government has already passed a bill handing down jail time for journalists who release portions of wiretapped conversations used in criminal investigations. As I have previously written, this was in response to the embarrassing transcripts of his own backroom dealings that were leaked last year.
But lest you think that this reflects a principled stand for privacy rights in Italy, it is my sad duty to inform you that Italy ranks first in the world in electronic surveillance of its citizens. As Berlusconi famously argued during one of his many corruption trials, that before the law, some people are more equal than others.
But let us continue:
The Italian press may be vulnerable to pressure from Berlusconi, below, on three fronts:
• Because of an 1987 amendment to an Italian law passed six years earlier, many smaller daily newspapers receive subsidies from the state that were originally intended for party organs. A television investigation three years ago found that between them, the papers received an annual €667m (£607m).
• One of Italy’s four national dailies, Il Giornale, is owned by Berlusconi’s brother, Paolo.
• The subtlest, but most serious, threat would be of pressure on media proprietors. The global recession has increased the government’s already considerable presence in Italy’s economy and handed Berlusconi vast powers of patronage over the industrialists and financiers who own Italy’s other main dailies.
Benito Mussolini was a journalist turned authoritarian politician. So was his brother. Uh-oh.
So, let’s make a Fascist pie shall we? Ingredients: Tough-talking anti-establishment blowhard. Check. Wild promises to restore the country to its former glory. Check. Restriction of civil liberties. Check. Oppressive control of national media. Almost there.
Mamma mia, let’s pop this sucker in the oven, I’m getting hungry!
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Don’t you mean “Roberto” Mussolini?
Education is key, biatches.