The publishing sector is floundering, and a new appeal to the Government comes from Fieg. “Publishing companies are awaiting interventions that are slow in arriving”, states the Federation, denouncing a crisis that is dragging newspapers and periodicals into a sort of quicksand, despite their “strategic” role for democracy. The president of the publishers, Andrea Riffeser Monti, points the finger at an evident contradiction: «Huge funding is maintained towards sectors that are not strategic for democracy, as is the press. And this while the stability of the sector already raises particular concerns in the aftermath of a budget law that cut resources to the sector”.
The Extraordinary Fund cancelled
Above all, the focus is on the cancellation of the Extraordinary Fund for interventions to support publishing and its 140 million euro endowment. The Fund, which had 90 million at its disposal in 2022, had been strengthened for 2023 with the aim of supporting technological innovation, digital transition and jobs in editorial offices. Among the measures envisaged: contributions per copy sold (initially 5 cents, then 10), aid for newsstands, incentives for hiring and support for digital investments also for radio and TV.
Decline in advertising and notices disappearing from newspapers
Added to the structural difficulties are new negative data. «In the first months of 2024, print advertising revenue fell by 13.7%», recalls Riffeser. And the decision to eliminate the obligation to publish public procurement notices in newspapers produced a collapse in legal advertising: «–53.6%». A choice which, according to Fieg, affects both the companies’ accounts and the transparency of information on public contracts.
“We need a political commitment against bad information”
For this reason, the Federation addresses “a serious invitation to the government and all political forces” to find a common line in combating bad information and guaranteeing quality press, “even more so in a period of electoral confrontation”. «It is essential and urgent – concludes Riffeser Monti – to adequately increase the resources to support the sector, encouraging the necessary technological investments in a period in which artificial intelligence risks being a very high-speed train that could compromise the pluralism of information if it remained the prerogative of those who have incalculable resources outside our national borders».
The public appeal
For this reason Fieg has decided to publish a page with the following text in the main newspapers and periodicals:
APPEAL FOR CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO FREE INFORMATION
to Government, Senators, Deputies,
Presidents of Regions and Provinces, Mayors,
Municipal, provincial and regional councilors and councillors
TO RECOGNIZE SUPPORT
PUBLIC TO PUBLISHING
FOR
greater social cohesion and civic participation
reliable information rooted in the territories
preserve the collective memory of communities
guarantee transparency, participation and legality
AGAINST
misinformation and fake news
the progressive information desertification of many territories, also denounced by the President of the EU Commission
the closure of newspapers and the disappearance of political information
the end of information on local administrations.
