OSCE media freedom representative condemns parcel bomb delivery to Italian newspaper

VIENNA, 7 October 2013 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the delivery of a parcel bomb to the Turin headquarters of the daily newspaper La Stampa.

“Attacks like these represent direct threats to media freedom,” Mijatović said. “I welcome the immediate launch of an investigation into this matter as well as the high-level political and collegial support for the newspaper and the principles of media freedom”. 

The parcel bomb, received on 3 October and detected before it exploded, was addressed to journalist Massimo Numa who covers a controversial high-speed railway project. No one has claimed responsibility for the delivery. The Italian President Giorgio Napolitano was among many who spoke out against the attack. In April La Stampa received a similar bomb that did not explode due to a malfunction of the detonator.

“Threats to the media should never be tolerated and authorities should spare no effort in addressing these cases,” Mijatović said.