An evening full of emotions, memories and passion for journalism enlivened the Giorgio Gaber Opera House in Milan, where Libero Quotidiano celebrated its first twenty-five years. An important milestone for one of the most vibrant and recognizable newspapers on the Italian media scene, celebrated with a party attended by protagonists of yesterday and today.
“We celebrate the first 25 years of Libero Quotidiano with the Hamletic doubt ‘To be or not to be free’ and our readers already know the answer.” This is what editor Mario Sechi said at the opening of the evening. “In fact, our newspaper is profoundly free and editor Vittorio Feltri designed it precisely on this idea. We have an ironic and always different vision of reality and we are preparing for the next 25 years.”
Particularly significant was the message of greeting sent by President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, read by editor Sechi: “On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the birth of the daily newspaper ”Libero,” I would like to send my best wishes to the editorial staff and all the staff. Twenty-five years is an important milestone for a daily newspaper, especially at a time that is not easy for the print media, which is suffering from declining readership and competition from other media. It is essential, in a period of crisis such as the one we are experiencing, to continue to ensure the pluralism of voices, provided for in our Constitution, a necessary corollary to guarantee the right of citizens to be freely and correctly informed. On journalists and editors, while respecting the freedom of their professional choices, in fact, falls a great responsibility that intersects democratic life and that must be fulfilled with intelligence, taste for the news, reliability, transparency and with those deontological criteria, first and foremost the control of sources, that distinguish high-quality information from the production of fake-news. The wish I send to “Libero,” then, is to continue in the Italian journalistic tradition within the rapid transformations that our time imposes.”
There was no shortage of connection from Palazzo Chigi with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, testifying to the institutional attention and central role Libero continues to play. “Best wishes to Libero on its first 25 years of activity. – Reiterated the President – A heartfelt greeting to all the management and journalists who, every day, work with passion on a newspaper that has become a point of reference in the panorama of information. A special thought to the editors and founder Vittorio Feltri who, with the birth of Libero, accepted a great challenge, both human and professional: to make the world of information more plural. Thank you for helping to give voice to a free and often countercultural Italy.”
Next, again director Sechi, interviewed Vittorio Feltri, founder of Libero. In their dialogue, highlights of a quarter-century of reporting, investigations, major headlines and cultural battles that have marked the national public debate emerged. “Oriana Fallaci,” Feltri said, “was an extraordinary colleague, a woman of intelligence and courage, also a pain in the ass. She had a unique ability to read the present and predict what would happen, with a lucidity that today, looking back, seems almost prophetic. Oriana understood before anyone else the great changes that would mark our time. She was against the tide, free and never willing to compromise, an example of journalism that does not bend and that is sorely lacking today.”
Also speaking from the stage was Senate President Ignazio La Russa: “I would like to applaud Libero, the journalists, the editors and, in particular, Vittorio Feltri. Politics has changed profoundly over the years: from Mani Pulite onward, a path has been embarked upon that has had the merit of eliminating many of the critical issues that had accumulated over time. To hold the position of Senate President is a great honor for me. Vittorio can confirm this: I accepted this position with the idea of restoring dignity to those who, for many years, have been marginalized because of their right-wing affiliation, a political party that I have the honor of representing.”
Matteo Salvini, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, also brought his greetings with a political speech: “The tax cut goes hand in hand with the scrapping of tax bills: it is not a matter of choosing one or the other, they are complementary measures. Today we are faced with a clear fact: 20 million Italians have outstanding tax bills. It is our duty to intervene with common sense and concreteness. We are carrying out solid teamwork. Within the majority there are no tensions, no fibrillation, no nervousness. We still have two years ahead of us and we want to fill them with content, ideas and concrete results for the country.”
Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, also spoke: “Libero has made a significant contribution to our city. Milan has always been a reality projected toward the future, a city that looks ahead with ambition and vision. Newspapers must be read: as long as there is someone willing to write, put their face to it and tell the reality, I will feel reassured. God bless journalists and editors, who play a fundamental role. I hope that Milan will continue to be a city where newspaper reading remains alive and an integral part of our culture.”
Next, editorial director Daniele Capezzone moved the audience with a monologue dedicated to the theme “What is freedom,” while the evening ended with Andrea Pucci’s satire and comedy show, accompanied by his orchestra.
