Corriere della Culture

What is news in Italy?
Answer: Whatever makes it past the government and Berlusconi media "censorship."
Censorship both self-inflicted and power-inflicted.

In case you think I jest, Freedom House in 2009 ranked Italy as only "partly free" in terms of media censorship. For novices: The prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, is a media mogul, and what he doesn't own, he oversees as PM.
This is a very complicated and nuanced scene, and not the focus of my posting today, although Italy's recent persecution of YouTube - and the ramifications of that - are breathtaking.

Back to the Corriere headline: I do love to read the Milan-based news media Corriere della Sera, or Evening Courier if you must, since the former is so much more poetic.

Today's headlines in the English language version of "Corriere" cannot fail to attract attention, although the writing in some is tedious.

"Dell'Utri Found Guilty - Forza Italia Not Involved." The hed does not do this lady justice, as the mafioso political crime verdict story says so much about the criminal justice system in Italy. For further information, read "The Monster of Florence."

"Pope Attacks Belgian Magistrates Investigating Paedophilia Scandal."



Despite the fascinating spelling of pedophilia here, what would any Italian paper be without a "Pope" article? Much less one in which investigators drilled into a cardinal's coffin.

"Lippi Accepts Responsibility for Defeat as Buffon Says Azzurri Deserve to Go Home." Signore, we are all suffering from World Cup heartache. And I'm not just talking about those vuvuzelas.

"No Protection Programme for Spatuzza." Yes, spatula attacks are my great fear. But this is why reading Corriere della Sera is such a pleasure.

I hope, for you too.