Rome, Nov. 14 (LaPresse) – “The broad centre-left coalition is dangerous for Italy, while the right is paralysed by Salvini.” This was stated by Azione leader Carlo Calenda in an interview with Corriere della Sera, in which he called for a “democratic shield”. This, he explained, “has a dual objective: identifying and making public foreign interference in the media and politics, as well as ensuring transparency regarding the hybrid attacks Italy is subjected to”. But some have raised the possibility of preventive censorship: “How can informing citizens be considered censorship?” Calenda asked. “Saying whether someone receives money or support from abroad is transparency. I have the impression that those saying this have a few skeletons in their closet. The issue of suspension, meanwhile, stems from what happened in Romania, where the elections had to be annulled. During the next electoral cycle, Europe and Italy will be extremely exposed to this interference.” Regarding Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s meeting with the opposition parties, Calenda said: “It was much more cordial than reported. I am pleased that the Prime Minister gave her approval to the shield, and that the committee has accelerated the process. I asked for an assessment of Italy’s level of protection against cyberattacks in the energy, transport, telecommunications, finance and water sectors. The risk of a large-scale Russian attack must be taken into account; we need to protect ourselves.” “Today,” he explained, “the intelligence services can detect whether a politician’s profile is being boosted by Russian or American bots, but this information is not public. Furthermore, based on this information, the Communications Regulatory Authority (Agcom) must be able to shut down that profile, including when it uses AI to create misleading videos.”
Centre-left, Calenda: “Broad coalition dangerous for Italy, but I am not pro-government”
Rome, Nov. 14 (LaPresse) – “The broad centre-left coalition is dangerous for Italy, while the right is paralysed by Salvini.” This was stated by Azione leader Carlo Calenda in an interview with Corriere della Sera, in which he called for a “democratic shield”. This, he explained, “has a dual objective: identifying and making public foreign interference in the media and politics, as well as ensuring transparency regarding the hybrid attacks Italy is subjected to”. But some have raised the possibility of preventive censorship: “How can informing citizens be considered censorship?” Calenda asked. “Saying whether someone receives money or support from abroad is transparency. I have the impression that those saying this have a few skeletons in their closet. The issue of suspension, meanwhile, stems from what happened in Romania, where the elections had to be annulled. During the next electoral cycle, Europe and Italy will be extremely exposed to this interference.” Regarding Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s meeting with the opposition parties, Calenda said: “It was much more cordial than reported. I am pleased that the Prime Minister gave her approval to the shield, and that the committee has accelerated the process. I asked for an assessment of Italy’s level of protection against cyberattacks in the energy, transport, telecommunications, finance and water sectors. The risk of a large-scale Russian attack must be taken into account; we need to protect ourselves.” “Today,” he explained, “the intelligence services can detect whether a politician’s profile is being boosted by Russian or American bots, but this information is not public. Furthermore, based on this information, the Communications Regulatory Authority (Agcom) must be able to shut down that profile, including when it uses AI to create misleading videos.”