The BBC has steadily reported Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's alleged and verified sexual exploits. Today's edition noted a more disturbing aspect of Berlusconi's rule.The article included an assertion by noted Italian film director Marco Bellochio that he has been subject to "creeping censorship." The silencing of Bellochio takes form through the unwillingness of producers and others to finance projects, due to their fear of the powerful prime minister and media magnate. In this case, according to the BBC report, Bellochio wanted to make a film in which a girl is "caught up in a headline-grabbing circus of racy parties and luxury villas."
Berlusconi's grip on the Italian media, combined with his political power, has permitted him to act above the law. Berlusconi's duality has added turbulence to Italian politics without any useful benefit to anyone except the prime minister and his court. The lesson Americans can take from this embarrassing episode is to firmly separate media and political power.
New York City learned this lesson the hard way during Mike Bloomberg's maneuvering for a third term as mayor. No one wanted to say "boo," because of Bloomberg's control of a media outlet and his money. It's much too dangerous for a representative democracy to permit those who own opinion shaping enterprises to simultaneously hold political office.
The photograph shows Marco Bellochio at the 2010 Venice Film Festival.
No comments:
Post a Comment