The message of Paolo Gentiloni, Italian Prime Minister

The Italian Prime Minister: the Ischia International Award for Journalism confirms its centrality in the panorama of information

Journalists and communicators alike affront difficult yet fascinating challenges, while manoeuvring in this increasingly vast sea of information.

The Ischia International Award for Journalism (Premio Ischia) approaches its XXXVIII edition with a programme of events confirming the centrality of this recognition in the panorama of information. This year the  awarding of the Prize will create an occasion to reflect on the role of journalism and it’s prospective in an important moment of transformation, amidst the immense wealth of data available and a growing diversity of opinion.

Today’s world is ever more complex to depict. Journalists and communicators alike affront difficult yet fascinating challenges while manoeuvring in this increasingly vast sea of information.

Crucial for journalism is the task of bearing witness to events and conflicts on the crisis scenario, testimonies which would otherwise risk being forgotten by international public opinion and this task was a central theme in the last edition of the Premio Ischia, at which I participated, as the then Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. Correct and independent information is the irreplaceable mainstay of our democracy and liberty.

Confident that this edition of the Premio Ischia will stimulate ideas for useful and interesting reflection. Most cordial greetings to the organisers, prize winners and all those present. All the best in your enterprise.

Paolo Gentiloni