SOS for reporters: Ossigeno set up a helpdesk for threatened journalists
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From the 18th June in Rome, the Rome Press Association and Ossigeno have set up a helpdesk to enable journalists also those not registered with the union to speak in confidence with an expert and to obtain opinions, advice and free assistance
The undue pressure on journalists and on cameramen and photojournalists has taken on the dimensions of a real emergency.
All the statistics beginning with those of Ossigeno per l’Informazione, the independent Observatory operating continually and competently under the patronage of the FNSI and the Order of Journalists, have highlighted the constant spread, throughout Italy, of threats, intimidations, spurious lawsuits and obstacles to the freedom of information. In Lazio the concentration of cases has taken on a very worrying dimension and frequency.
The episodes recorded and published of serious attacks on journalists are numerous and are merely the tip of the iceberg.
We are convinced that every day, in and outside of the editorial offices, there are frictions, conditioning, pressures which must be resisted in order to better carry out our profession in the public interest.
For this reason the Rome Press Association and Ossigeno have decided to launch a joint helpdesk to assist and help direct colleagues, all colleagues, also those who are not registered with the union.
It will be called SOS Reporters and aims to be a reference point above all of listening and support in order to break down the wall of solitude and indifference, creating awareness of one’s rights in order to be supported in making the best decisions to defend one’s own professionalism with union advice if it relates to union issues, legal advice if it has legal implications, ethical, public order and so on.
The help-desk will work this way: from 11:00 to 13:00 every Monday it will be in operation at the headquarters of the Rome Press Association. To receive people there will be a team composed of colleagues from Ossigeno and from the Rome Press Association. Maximum confidentiality of the conversations of colleagues will be guaranteed.
An appointment can be made by telephone calling 0668402730 or sending an e-mail to soscronisti@stamparomana.it
The help-desk will be open from Monday 18th June 2018.
Lazzaro Pappagallo – Secretary of the Rome Press Association
Alberto Spampinato – Director Ossigeno per l’Informazione
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