Berlusconi's World
Berlusconi treats the Italian judicial system as a joke
Despite a checkered past controversial Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, has, until now, remained a popular and charismatic leader. But his recent attempts to avoid prosecution by emasculating the judicial system have finally started to make his patient public ask questions.
Flags are thrust passionately; a flurry of orange balloons are released heavenward. 500,000 politicians, celebrities and ordinary citizens are protesting against the stranglehold Berlusconi has on Italian life. "We want to defend democracy and communication", charges former actress and writer Giulia Fossá. Berlusconi's business empire controls 90% of Italy's media, a fact worrying more and more Italians, despite Berlusconi's best efforts. Conflict of interest is never mentioned by local journalists, criticism of Berlusconi is rare. We meet Michele Santoro, a noted prime time political commentator on Government owned channel RAI, now unemployed after a complaint from the Prime Minister. And it's not only the freedom of the press that is disturbing ordinary Italians. In the 1990s Berlusconi used his media empire to attack a judiciary that was charging him on several counts of corruption. Now he is actually forcing through laws to keep him off the hook. Those facing court are now allowed to change the location of a trial if they feel the jury may be biased. "The threat is a very simple one", states Florence University lecturer Paul Ginsborg. "One of the most independent judiciary in Europe will lose its independence." Italy has a grand democratic history dating to Cicero and Publius. Corruption is threatening its continued existence. Can democracy survive?
Produced by ABC Australia
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