Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has come under fire after a TV channel he owns secretly filmed a judge who ruled against him in a bribery case. Mr Berlusconi's Canale 5 channel aired footage of the judge taking a walk, smoking and visiting a barber shop. A lawyers' association reported the incident to Italy's privacy watchdog and declared a "state of protest". Earlier this month, Judge Raimondo Mesiano found Mr Berlusconi "co-responsible" of bribing legal officers.
Mr Berlusconi's Canale 5 channel aired footage of the judge taking a walk, smoking and visiting a barber shop.
A lawyers' association reported the incident to Italy's privacy watchdog and declared a "state of protest".
Earlier this month, Judge Raimondo Mesiano found Mr Berlusconi "co-responsible" of bribing legal officers.
Curiously the dossier Vittorio Feltri reports on is amazingly similar to the dossier against Ruggero Orfei produced by Mario Scaramella in March 2006. Just change the names and circumstances, both as false as the Dino Boffo farrago two months ago.
Today the author of the attack on Judge Mesiano apologized, no doubt with an eye on the plummeting polls. He of course threw in the line that he too was a victim of a smear campaign for having "done his job"- whatever that is.
With this there's supposed to be some sort of truce: The free press stops criticising Berlusconi and he will stop his smear campaigns.
All of this is pre-political. Berlusconi expects everyone to play by his rules as some sort of loyal opposition before talking begins. Those who don't will be assassinated by his media. As Helen puts it, it's an offer you can't refuse- although we damn well will refuse.
This of course does not change Italy's systematic non-compliance with EU directives and Strasbourg Court sentences, such as the Riolo Affair vs. Italy judged of July 17, 2008. The court has already condemned Italy for press censorship but Italy, which like all European states is obliged to bide by Strasbourg sentences, continues to ignore the ruling at the expense of State and, further, the reporters and editors who were sued and still must pay damages and trial costs despite the European Court rulings. The intent is to sue dissent off the map with costly trials. Blogs and small editors can't afford to report facts. Riolo is just one of many- and this government is set on making it impossible for reporters and editors to disclose whatever is not agreeable to Berlusconi's gang.
