Andrea Martella: In health emergencies, the newspapers are like drugs: an antidote

the ROME - "such As hospitals, pharmacies, and supermarkets". The secretary of state of the publishing Andrea Martella raises the alarm on the information: on paper, on the web, on tv. "Information is one of the antidotes crucial in the fight against the spread of the Coronavirus," he says. But words are not enough if you want to avoid the black out of the news after the one of social relationships. "Never as in this moment is the constitutional principle of a State aid to the sector. It means that the supply chain that affects, mainly, the printed paper must be kept not broken: publishers, printers, distributors, newsstands".

There really is the possibility that the newspapers do not come out more in the morning?
"I'm talking about with the categories and this scenario is excluded. In particular, the publishers and printers have made me to know you have a plan to ensure the exit of the newspapers."

However, there is a world that is adapting, and in some cases capitolando. As the television programs of maximum listening.
"But may not be worth printing. If there is a lesson to be assimilated by this new epidemic, maybe it's just this: the information must be considered to be a key part of the overall strategy for emergency response. To be regarded as an essential public service".

The journalists are doing their duty? Or inform in a correct way, without creating alarms or minimize?
"I would Say yes. But they must also fight against the information of the fake news that aims to the chaos. You ask good information, information service, which reports to the citizens the contents referring to useful information, the entries are authoritative and reliable, with maximum transparency, avoiding the sensationalism".

One of the responses of the chinese to the epidemic has been a further tightening of contacts on the Internet: the social sources of print. It could also happen to us?
"Impossible. The epidemics affect the deep layers of the imaginary, putting in crisis the social ties and triggering fears, except for the fact that today the tools of the multiplication of the informational messages are incomparably more powerful than in the past. And they can be useful. We must help to prevent irrational behaviour, as the rush to do food stocks. To tip the balance on the side of rationality, because otherwise there is the risk to assert the instability and foster the game of what Bauman called the "demon of fear"".

Is saying that, in addition to follow the provisions of the government, citizens should make good use of the information channels?
"Let's be clear: in these weeks, the fight is also a challenge to the defense of our democracy. Democracy means to hold united with the social fabric of our Country, hold fast to a vision of community in which the fate of all is in the hands responsible for each".

however, If you put the short-circuit information of the government, as in the case of the closure of schools, is a problem.
"The executive is facing the emergency with the maximum transparency in the relationship with the public. The role of journalists, which also must be cautious and abide by the rules, is fundamental, and it also consists in urging, if necessary, who takes the decisions".

aids Are provided to the sector to ensure that the output of newspapers and information in general.
"we Must continue with an action of strong support, direct and indirect, to this world. The more reason we have to do this at this stage to support all actors in the publishing chain, they, too, hit hard by the disaster. The goal does not change; make printing economically sustainable, self-sufficient, free to continue to carry out a task that costs in terms of effort, commitment, and economic resources".

"The Republic will fight always in defense of the freedom of information, to its readers and to all those who have at heart the principles of democracy and civil coexistence"

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