According to various reports, Valentino Gonzato was taking pictures on 2 April when he was surrounded by a group of seven people. The assailants threatened the journalist, spat at him and punched and kicked him. They also stole his phone.
The police arrested the men and recovered Gonzato’s phone. The reporter was immediately sent to an emergency room as a result of sustaining several injuries,
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) join their affiliate the FNSI in condemning the attack. They also reiterate their serious concerns over the increasing climate of violence against media workers in Italy, indicated by data published by the Platform of Council of Europe for the protection of journalists.
In a statement the Federations said: “We are deeply concerned about the deterioration of journalists’ working environment in Italy, of which the attack against Valentino Gonzato is indicative. Journalists in Italy are working within a more and more hostile climate, fuelled among others by public officials.”