Is it a matter for Italians only, or something for all Europeans to discuss, even legislate on? MEP Mario Mauro, member of the ruling party in Italy, weighs up the question.

The News: Freedom of the press in Italy

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/14814160/N001-91008-010-EN.srt

Press freedom in Italy was at the heart   of the EP's debate this week.

The big question is, of course, whether   it's an Italian or a European debate.

What went on air -   let's put it this way - today in the EP

was the caricature of a debate.   A real charade.

In these debates   people judged one country

but they didn't have   the courage and the freedom

And don't forget   that in 2004 in that same chamber

there's already been a debate   on the freedom on information in Italy.

That time too,   the centre-right-party was in power

and the Prime Minister   was Silvio Berlusconi.

That means that whenever   the centre-right is in power in Italy,

everybody agrees that press freedom   is seriously threatened.

the problem suddenly disappears.   It's obviously very suspect.

All the same, some countries are pleased   that we're talking, through Italy,

So, for you, is it a debate   that should take place in the EU?

There were Romanian,   Estonian MEPs saying,

in Italy, they're having this debate,   but so are we.

If we really want to engage in a debate   on the freedom of information,

let's start   with a 360 degree look at it.

Let's talk about   the concentration of media in Europe,

about the problems between the big   publishing groups and Zapatero in Spain

and in Germany with the SPD.   We would delude ourselves

if we thought that pointing the finger   at Italy only would be a solution.

Let's talk about   this concentration of media.

Today Commissioner Reding told the EP:   work with the Council, do your duty,

propose something,   and we'll work on it.

Does the EPP support a directive   on the concentration of media?

Look, Ms. Reding has exposed   an ideological system

aiming to hit Italy, its government   and interests in the media sector.

Now that this plot is exposed, you can   see what the heart of the matter is:

the need, in the internal market, to pay   attention to what happens in the media.