Videoconference meeting of the permanent support body to the Coordination Center for monitoring, analysis and permanent exchange of information on the phenomenon of intimidating acts against journalists.
The permanent support body for the "Coordination Center for monitoring, analysis and permanent exchange of information on the phenomenon of intimidating acts against journalists" met today at the Central Directorate of the Criminal Police. chaired by the Prefect Vittorio Rizzi, Deputy Director General of Public Security - Central Director of the Criminal Police, and composed of representatives of the State Police, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, Order of Journalists and the National Federation of the Italian Press.
On the agenda a discussion on the particularly topical issue of "online intimidation acts against journalists".
The meeting was attended by the Hon. Walter VERINI Coordinator of the Committee of intimidation and mafia conditioning in the world of journalism and information within the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the phenomenon of mafia and other criminal associations, including foreign ones, the Presidents of the Order of Journalists and of the Italian National Press Federation Dr. Carlo Verna and Dr. Giuseppe Giulietti - as well as numerous information professionals who are subject to threats due to their activities.
The session opened with an analysis, prepared by the Criminal Analysis Service, on the intimidating acts perpetrated in our country, which showed a significant increase, going from 87 episodes in 2019 to 163 in 2020 (+ 87%), 44% of which committed through web channels.
In the first quarter of the current year, 63 threats have already been recorded, with an increase of 50% compared to the same period of 2020; 27 offenses were committed online, equal to 43% of the total. In this first part of the year, an increase in intimidating acts against journalists also emerged, going from 19% in 2020 to 24% in 2021.
The matrix of intimidating acts committed in 2021 is attributable for 30% to socio / political contexts, for 21% to contexts of organized crime and for 49% to other contexts.
During the meeting, Prefect Rizzi wanted to highlight how the phenomenon in question is constantly monitored by the Police Forces and closely followed by the Minister of the Interior in order to stem the spread of similar vile acts.