Publishing funding: Legislative decree rejected by secret ballot

PALERMO – The law establishing the Publishing Fund was rejected by a vote of 37 to 30. There were 22 opposition MPs in the chamber, so 15 were the snipers in the majority. The usual backroom tactics scuttled the law establishing the Publishing Fund by secret ballot. The Parliamentary Press Union had contributed to this by proposing an amendment, approved unanimously by the Sicilian Regional Assembly's Budget Committee, which required at least two journalists employed by publishing companies to apply for public funding.

The Sicilian Regional Assembly (ARS) missed an opportunity to protect the world of information and, above all, to offer opportunities to journalists. We thank President Renato Schifani, Councilor for Economy Alessandro Dagnino, and the members of the committee for listening to the concerns of the parliamentary press.

Parliamentary reporters ensure maximum vigilance on future legislative proposals regarding the world of information.