Watch what you say

last updated 8 January 2015

Rome, Italy

The state-owned TV station has cancelled the shows of two news anchors who frequently criticized Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Two months ago, Berlusconi accused Michele Santoro and Enzo Biagi of “making criminal use of public television.” He instructed the station “not to allow this to happen again.” Opposition leaders say that Berlusconi, a billionaire who already owns several private TV stations, is now meddling in government television as well. Berlusconi demurred. “It is quite understandable,” he said, “that with new management a new editorial line should arrive.”