Any journalist in Brussels knows how free the Italian media is

THERE was more than a hint of the surreal about the debate on media freedom and Italy in the European Parliament during the week.

MEPs were being accused of straying into an area that is strictly under the control of the national governments by questioning whether the media in Italy was free.

Some stuck to their guns and pointed out that Italy is one of three countries in the EU whose media is judged to be just partially free by the respected international organisation, Freedom House. The fact that the other two countries are Romania and Bulgaria – considered by far the most corrupt in the union – gives an indication of the extent of the problem.