The remains of the car belonging to reporter Rossella Puccio, which was set on fire (Photo: Ansa)
Italy: Thorough investigation required after arson attack on car of journalist Rossella Puccio

ECPMF

06 April 2023

No Comments

The partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today denounce the arson attack on the family car of Italian freelance journalist Rossella Puccio in the city of Palermo and express solidarity with the reporter as police work to identify the perpetrators and their motive.

 

The targeted attack happened during the night of April 3, while the journalist’s family car was parked in a public area in the Sferracavallo district of the city. Footage captured by a nearby CCTV camera showed a man approach the vehicle, pour liquid from a bottle over the car and light it on fire.

 

The car was completely destroyed in the blaze. No one claimed responsibility for the attack and the motive is currently unclear. Puccio is a freelance journalist who collaborates with several news outlets, including Palermo Today and Quotidiano di Sicilia.

 

Our organisations welcome the swift action of police to open a criminal investigation and urge local law enforcement and judicial authorities, working in tandem with the government’s national Coordination Centre, to treat this case as a matter of urgency. All those responsible for carrying out or planning this clear act of intimidation must be swiftly identified and held accountable.

 

We have reported this case to the Council of Europe Platform for the safety of journalists, and hope to see a swift response from Italian authorities to provide updates on the details of the criminal investigation. This is the fifth physical attack on journalists in Italy so far in 2023, as recorded on the Mapping Media Freedom platform.

 

Moreover, we note with concern that this is not the first time that Puccio has faced threats due to her work. In August 2020, she was violently assaulted by a group of people while documenting an intervention by the carabinieri to clear a tent city in the Barcarello area of Palermo. Seven attackers were later identified, and their trial began in January 2023, with the next hearing scheduled for May.

 

Ten years ago, in 2013, the same car was vandalised and had its wheels damaged, according to media reports. No one claimed responsibility for that incident and no one was arrested or charged. It is unclear whether any of these incidents are connected.

 

Our organisations join local and national journalist unions and organisations in Italy in expressing our support and solidarity with Puccio, and all journalists in Italy who face physical threats and intimidation due to their work. We will continue to monitor the situation closely in the coming weeks. We also urge relevant authorities to make sure that journalists in Italy are not subject to physical attacks and intimidations, and are free and safe to carry out their work.

 

Signed: 

  • Article 19 Europe
  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

This statement was coordinated by the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised by a consortium led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) including ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), International Press Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). The project is co-funded by the European Commission.

Read news by categories:

Related news

Feature

Call for the immediate release of journalist Furkan Karabay

Together with partners, ECPMF calls for the release of journalist Furkan Karabay, recognising that his detention is an unjust infringement on press freedom.

READ MORE
General

“If we, as journalists, are the ones able to deliver the truth, we are honoured to do so.” Azerbaijani journalist Islam Shikhali on the mass imprisonment of journalists, digital wiretapping and COP29

Azerbaijani journalist Islam Shikhali talks about mass surveillance, threats to press freedom, and the impact of COP29 in an exclusive interview.

READ MORE
Feature

Bosnia and Herzegovina: MFRR and SafeJournalists urgently call for stronger protection for journalist Nataša Miljanović Zubac

MFRR and SafeJournalists urge stronger protection for journalist Nataša Miljanović Zubac in Bosnia amid escalating threats and a culture of impunity.

READ MORE
Feature

Press freedom organisations condemn attacks on journalists during Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections

Press freedom organisations call for investigations into violence against journalists during Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections and urge for their protection.

READ MORE
Feature

Press freedom organisations demand protection for journalists in Georgia

Press freedom organisations call on Georgia to protect journalists amid attacks, election-related harassment, and barred entry for foreign reporters.

READ MORE
Feature

Partners of the Platform call on Irish authorities to continue to prioritise media freedom and better protect journalists

Press freedom organisations call on Ireland to reform defamation laws, implement anti-SLAPP measures, and ensure journalist safety amid rising legal threats.

READ MORE