The editor of a prominent Catholic newspaper that demanded Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi answer questions about a sex scandal resigned Thursday, saying he and his family were hurt by an attack on his reputation from a Berlusconi family newspaper, the Associated Press (AP) has reported.
The resignation highlighted Berlusconi's souring ties with the church, which objects to the Italian government's immigration policy, has been troubled by reports linking the premier to young women and now faces a media row that drew in even Pope Benedict XVI.
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Dino Boffo, editor of the Italian Bishops' Conference daily newspaper Avvenire, strongly denied allegations raised by Il Giornale, a Berlusconi family newspaper, that alleged Boffo had been involved in a court case with homosexual overtones. Last week, the Milan daily claimed that Boffo had been fined in a plea-bargain several years ago for making harassing calls to the wife of a man in whom he was purportedly interested. It accused him of hypocrisy for scrutinizing Berlusconi's private life.
Boffo acknowledged being fined in the case but said someone else had used his cellphone to make the calls. Prosecutors maintain Boffo made the calls, but have denied there was a gay angle to the case. Il Giornale, which is owned by Berlusconi's brother, published the article after Avvenire called on Berlusconi to answer questions about his purported infatuation with young women.
Berlusconi has been on the defensive ever since his wife announced in the spring that she was divorcing him, citing his presence at the 18th birthday party of a Naples model. Italian media subsequently reported that women had been paid to attend parties at the premier's residences and that a high-class prostitute had once spent the night with him.
Berlusconi, 72, has denounced what he says is a media smear campaign against him and has sued two left-wing dailies for libel. He has denied ever paying anyone for sex and says there was nothing "spicy" in his relations with the Naples model.
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the regional group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), said Berlusconi was putting press freedom to the sword by launching a legal vendetta against media at home and abroad for reporting on his troubled personal life.
"It's understandable that Prime Minister Berlusconi wants to keep his colourful personal life out of the headlines," said Aidan White, IFJ and EFJ General Secretary. "But he puts press freedom at risk by trying to use the law to intimidate journalists and to stifle media reporting."
EFJ said Berlusconi often used his power as both media magnate and political leader to intimidate media and individual journalists, but this time he "has stepped over a line by trying to stifle embarrassing but legitimate journalism at both home and abroad."
On August 28, Berlusconi sued the daily La Repubblica simply for having publicly asked him ten questions . Berlusconi is also suing French weekly Le Nouvel Observateur, and reports say his lawyers are looking into the possibility to sue British papers —including the ones owned by his former "friend" Rupert Murdoch. All of this follows intense media interest in his personal life including his divorce and controversy surrounding his relationships with young women.
"What happened is incredible," said Franco Siddi, President of the IFJ affiliate Federazione Nazionale della Stampa Italiana (FNSI). "This complaint against La Repubblica and the attack on Avvenire are evidence of spectacular intimidation of media or journalists who ask questions, express opinions or even discuss the influence of Berlusconi's private life in politics. He should know that in democracy there are limits to his power."
EFJ said Berlusconi's onslaught against the press over his personal behaviour was unacceptable, in Italy or elsewhere. The attack on Avvenire, a respectable newspaper of the church, has added to public indignation over his actions, which many observers believe damage his international reputation.
EFJ is backing FNSI in its demands for Berlusconi and his political allies to respect independent and free media in Italy. "Journalists and media must stand firm in defence of the principles of press freedom and quality journalism," said White. "And particularly so when the threat comes from the most powerful politician in the land."
