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The Prime Minister and the Press
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders recently ranked Italy at the bottom of the list for countries in the European Union on its press freedom index. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is not only Italy's richest man, but also the unrivaled owner of a vast media empire. This combination of political power and personal ownership of a large sector of the private media in Italy has provoked questions about the independence of the Italian media. By following the travails of some of the country's leading critical voices -- including Marco Travaglio, one of Italy's most famous investigative journalists -- The Prime Minister and the Press examines Berlusconi's rise to prominence, and explores what happens to public debate when extreme wealth and political power converge with media dominance. This story is especially timely, coinciding with Italy's assumption of the Presidency of the European Union in July, 2003.
 Watch a preview video
Director Susan Gray's films include PORTO MARGHERA: THE STORY OF A LETHAL DECEPTION, an investigation of the Italian petrochemical industry, broadcast in Europe and winner of the Arca Cinema Giovane award at the Venice Film Festival and LEONARDO: THE MAN BEHING THE SHROUD? for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNELS INTERNATIONAL, winner of the U.S. International Film & Video Festival's Silver Screen Award. Gray was also the assistant director and field producer for PUBLIC ENEMY: 1997-1999, a documentary about the Black Panther Party, which was broadcast in the U.S. and Europe.
Executive Producer Stefano Tealdi is one of the founders of Stefilm, an Italian production company that specializes in historical, social, and cultural documentaries. Stefilm has produced programs for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNELS INTERNATIONAL, CANAL + (Spain), ZDF/ARTE (Germany), and RTBF (Belgium), among other broadcasters. Stefilm recently produced PORTO MARGHERA: THE STORY OF A LETHAL and LEONARDO: THE MAN BEHING THE SHROUD? Other recent productions include two films about Italy's social transformations, VISIONS OF CRUMBLING HOUSES and LIKE FOSSILS.
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