Journalists under threat of reprisals for their reporting are convening in Perugia today in a first of a series of events to promote the notion of a ‘European Charter for the Right to Information’.
The charter is an initiative of the Italian free speech association Articolo 21 that is working with the Franciscan order to promote the principles highlighted in the “Assisi Charter: Words are like Stones” that seek to protect the rights of citizens for free and independent information that can bear witness to the changes in our society.
The gathering will include Paolo Borrometi, Asmae Dachan, Paolo Berizzi and Nello Scavo. Nello Scavo is currently testifying in a case brought by the Maltese police against Neville Gafà who threatened Scavo with “shutting him up” for reporting on Malta’s migration policies.
Antonio Spadaro who runs the Vatican’s Civiltà Cattolica and Enzo Fortunato who heads the communications of the Franciscan Order will also be speaking today. I will be speaking at today’s event through a pre-recorded video message which will be uploaded on this blog later today.
Today’s meeting will be followed with a presentation of the draft “European Charter” to the president of the European Parliament David Sassoli. The presentation will be held in Assisi on Sunday.
You can follow the events on Articolo 21’s website.