Italy: CFWIJ Condemns The Violence Faced By Antonella Alba While Covering Covid Related Protests
Location: Italy, Rome
Date: September 9, 2021
Journalist Antonella Alba was verbally and physically attacked at a demonstration rally against the COVID safety measures announced by the Italian government. The incident took place on August 28, while Antonella was covering the protest for Rai News 24. The journalist was abused by participants of the rally and incurred physical injuries in a scuffle that took place at the location. The security personnel on the ground had to eventually intervene in order to ensure her safety.
The protest demonstration took place against the “Green Pass” policy instituted by the current government. The “Green Pass” is a security measure against the pandemic in light of the rising cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus in Italy. According to Euronews, “Passengers will only be allowed to use certain public transport if they show a Green Pass, which proves recent vaccination, a negative COVID test in the past 48 hours or recovery from the disease in the last six months.” The policy applies to domestic air travel, trains and sea travel, and is already in place at restaurants, concerts, and gyms.
The rally was attended by members of the Forza Nuova, a far right political group, and included leader Giuliano Castellino who cheered on a raucous crowd from his car. When a masked Antonella approached participants of the rally to ask them about their reason for joining the congregation, they demanded her to leave the site, claiming they were taking back their freedom. Things accelerated when they tried to snatch her company cell-phone from her. This resulted in bruising and scratches that she was subsequently treated for in an emergency room at the local hospital. Antonella has decided to register a complaint against her attackers with the police, a local newspaper confirmed.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed at the violence faced by Antonella. Journalists are on the frontlines in their coverage against the disease. They are already at risk of contracting the virus; to physically assault them for covering the events related to the issue is absolutely reprehensible. Far-right movements around the world have enabled and encouraged their supporters to use violence against those they disagree with putting democratic values and principles at risk. It is the job of a journalist to cover the protests taking place in the center of the national capital, to encourage violence against them is dangerous, not just for the journalist themselves but also for the political culture of the country.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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