Italy: CFWIJ condemns the unjustified impediment of an unnamed journalist

April 8, 2021 - An unnamed woman journalist was impeded at work while on assignment at the Palace of Justice. She was barred from entering the building under COVID-19 restrictions. The journalist was aware of the precautionary measures and had planned to report on the case hearing outside. She shared it happened the first time when a court president denied her entry. The journalist believes she was denied access because the court was conducting a trial on a sensitive case involving a priest accused of sexual violence. CFWIJ is dismayed by the official orders as the matter was of public interest, and the journalist must report the case. 

She planned to cover the story outside the closed-door hearing and stay there until the involved parties left the courtroom. The journalist was fully aware that she had to maintain the anonymity of the people involved. After she was denied entry, the Sicilian Order of Journalists and the Sicilian Press Association openly criticized the decision. 

The Palace of Justice president made the decision disallowing the woman journalist in the courtroom. He mentioned COVID-19 rules as the reason behind the restriction. Yet, several journalists have reported during the pandemic from outside the courtroom. On that particular day, the unnamed journalist was the only media member in attendance. According to a statement issued by Order and Union, “It is not acceptable that Covid-19 restrictions are brought up to deny entry in the courthouse to a single professional, wearing a mask, who certainly would not have gathered masses.” The statement further asked the president of the court to review his decision. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism urges the president of the court of justice to revise his decision keeping the earlier practices in observation. We stand in solidarity with the journalist knowing that she was aware of all the necessary protocols the court has set under COVID-19 rules. While keeping in line with appropriate rules and regulations, no journalist should be obstructed from covering their assignment.