Berlusconi menaces freedom of the press

At a meeting with the country's business leaders on Saturday Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi referred to a danger of "subversion". According to the left-liberal daily La Repubblica he wants to use the perceived threat as a precautionary justification for further measures to restrict the freedom of the press: "A putsch in the heart of democratic Europe, an epilogue to the Berlusconi adventure after 15 years of uninterrupted suspense. ... Berlusconi senses danger everywhere. ... However the truth of the matter is that the biggest threat to Berlusconi is Berlusconi himself, when he discloses his instability and his fears. If what he said is true we can fear the worst. What comes after the announcement of 'subversion'? ... If there really is a subversive threat, then every countermeasure is legitimate. How will the Cavaliere make use of the secret service and other state apparatus at his disposal against the alleged conspirators? ... As far as we're concerned, we will continue to behave as if we were in a normal country where the clash between the free press and the legitimately elected government is part and parcel of democracy."

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