Italy - January 2025

On 10 December, President Sergio Mattarella signed a legislative decree amending Article 114 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which restricts journalists’ reporting on custody orders and reduces public access to the first official details of a suspect’s alleged involvement in a crime. The legislation prohibits the publication of precautionary custody orders and limits reporting to paraphrased summaries until the preliminary investigation or hearing concludes. It also extends these restrictions to all precautionary measures, including travel restrictions, professional disqualifications, and mandatory reporting to law enforcement. Supporters argue the reform protects the presumption of innocence, while critics claim it shields public officials from necessary scrutiny. The legislative decree entered into permanent effect on 7 January. 

Sources: International IDEA, Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, il Fatto Quotidiano, Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana