Media Conflict of Interest: Anomaly in Italy
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=6392
A report released in April 2003 by Reporters Without Borders on the conflict of interest surrounding Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s media holdings. The organization interviewed television executives and journalists and editors at leading newspapers.
Berlusconi Media Profile
http://www.ketupa.net/berlusconi.htm
A detailed breakdown of the Berlusconi family’s media holdings, accompanied by a historical timeline of Berlusconi’s business and political career.
Italy’s Television, Italy’s Democracy
http://www.opendemocracy.net/debates/article-8-38-59.jsp
Extensive article on Berlusconi’s rise to power, his media empire, and some of their implications for Italian democracy.
The Italian Media Landscape
http://www.ejc.nl/jr/emland/italy.html
Explains the nature of the Italian media, from the number and nature of Italian newspapers to audiovisual media and national media policies.
Berlusconi’s Boundless Empire
http://media.guardian.co.uk/Print/0,3858,4708471,00.html
The debate over a controversial communications bill that critics say would allow Silvio Berlusconi to further expand his media empire.
Italy: In Medias Res
http://www.worldpress.org/Europe/1090.cfm
News article about the defeat of a controversial bill that would have allowed Berlusconi the unfettered ability to expand his media empire.
Elections to the Italian Parliament
http://electionresources.org/it/
Historical background and general information on Italy’s electoral system. Includes election results for 1994, 1996, and 2001 for both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. Provides an explanation of the legislative reforms that took place in 1993.
BBC Italy Country Profile
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1065345.stm
Background information on the country, including population and income figures, as well as details on the nation’s government, media, and history.
Italian Timeline
http://www.worldhistory.com/italy.htm
Timeline of Italian history, from the ancient Etruscans to the introduction of the Euro.
History of Italy
http://www.tricolore.net/history1.htm
A series of essays on Italian history, broken down into the following eras: Greeks and Etruscans; The Romans; The Roman Empire; Medieval Italy; Renaissance; Foreign Domination; The Risorgimento; World War I; World War II; Recent Years.
