In the TV broadcasts that I’ve been invited to participate in I’ve always noted one great absence: objectivity. An evaluation of the facts based on numbers and solid analysis. These were once the objectives at the basis of journalism. Now they seem to have disappeared.
Many politicians and many journalists are interested in clever responses and gossip. And an aspect that is of maximum importance, they lie knowing that they are lying. They don’t have to justify their lying words.
I believe that a politician, a representative of the citizens, or even better an employee of the citizens, cannot be allowed to lie in public without paying the consequences. And in the same way, I believe that a journalist, unless he or she is totally unprepared, must immediately rebut a lie. They shouldn’t be content with a tiny half smile and the attitude of an altar server who is “super partes”. In the other countries of the West, lying politicians are not tolerated but are shamed and eliminated from public life. That’s what should happen in Italy. Lying is not a virtue it’s despicable behaviour.

The first emergency of this Government (together with the conflict of interests) is the economy. The previous government has got Italy into debt. Does someone from the Centre Right want to lie and state the contrary?
Today’s economic forecasts for 2006 from the World Economic Outlook:
- GDP: Euro area 2.0 - Italy 1.2
- Inflation: Euro area 2.1 - Italy 2.5
- Deficit/GDP: Euro area 2.3 - Italy 4.0