Threatened journalists. In Italy the first half of the year was grim, Ossigeno says

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OSSIGENO, 28 October 2026 – The data on threatened journalists in Italy recorded in the first half of the year by Ossigeno per l’Informazione indicate that 2026 is shaping up to be a grim year, similar to 2025, when threats were documented against 759 journalists, 40% more than the previous year. The data are still being processed, but some trends already appear clear, said Ossigeno’s president, Alberto Spampinato, who spoke yesterday at a conference and training course organised by the Sicilian Press Association.

Waiting for the complete figures, which will be ready at the end of the year, the Ossigeno president said, the analysis of the first half shows that the number of victims of intimidation and other forms of threat stands at the highest level recorded in 2025. It also emerges that this year vexatious lawsuits have increased (+5 per cent), the number of victims of obstructed access to information has grown (+16 per cent), and intimidation originating from the public sector has risen as well (+10 per cent).

The record of legislative and government action also leaves much to be desired. Debate on the bill to reform the rules on defamation through the press has stalled in Parliament and has made no progress for two years now. The transposition of beneficial European legislation is likewise meeting strong obstacles. Having been transposed only for cross-border cases, the European anti-SLAPP Directive will help very few SLAPP victims, and this will create a disparity in treatment among those facing trial, a disparity that contradicts the principle of equality enshrined in the Constitution. Moreover, since August 2025 Italy has been in default over the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act, and for this reason it risks infringement proceedings. ASP /SC