President Meloni’s statement on establishment of a national day in memory of journalists killed because of their work

It is with great satisfaction that I welcome Parliament's unanimous approval of the bill establishing a national day in memory of journalists killed because of their work.

From now on, 3 May will be a solemn occasion to honour those who have put their passion, professionalism and courage at the service of us all, guaranteeing citizens the right to be informed. Men and women whose precious work has allowed our eyes to see things we otherwise wouldn't have seen. In Italy and abroad. From crisis zones to forgotten conflicts, from areas plagued by organised crime to all those physical and non-physical places that are invisible to the public.

I am thinking of people such as Cosimo Cristina, Mauro De Mauro, Giovanni Spampinato, Peppino Impastato, Mario Francese, Giuseppe Fava, Mauro Rostagno, Beppe Alfano, Giancarlo Siani, Walter Tobagi, Ilaria Alpi and Miran Hrovatin, Marco Luchetta, Alessandro Saša Ota, Dario D'Angelo, Antonio Russo, Enzo Baldoni, Andrea Rocchelli, Maria Grazia Cutuli, Almerigo Grilz.

Paying tribute to these journalists is a duty, which has today become enshrined in State law and which we are committed to honouring.

[Courtesy translation]