Is Berlusconi really finished?

Benedetta Brevini argues that the outed Italian PM will use his (you might say, substantial) influence to undermine Mario Monti's leadership:

It's easy to predict that Berlusconi will try to protect his personal interests through two important tools: his deputies in parliament and his untouched media empire. That his unchallenged propaganda machine was already at work at the time of his resignation can be easily illustrated. While in Britain, the BBC was broadcasting Berlusconi's resignation live, Italian state and commercial television chose not to show the celebrations of thousands of Italians in front of the presidential palace. On the day of his resignation, Berlusconi also did something unthinkable for a European democracy: he sent a video message to all television stations (public and commercial) to claim the "impressive achievements of his government" and his "doubled commitment" to Italy's future. He also claimed that he never lost the confidence of the parliament.

I like her use of the term 'European democracy'. One can only assume she uses the latter word lightly. The level of influence we see in Berlusconi – including what was previously the combined-control of both state television and his own vast media interests – is a good example of how information control can be used to move a country in one man's direction. This ugly fusion of media ownership and political power is completely incompatible with a functioning democracy. That is, whether the media impresario in question has the nerve to actually run for office or not. This is why journalism is so important as a public service.

In any case, if the freedom of information is not protected, there's potential for a single man to control both a government and its reputation. That's dangerous.

(Image via Euronews and Reuters)