ON WEDNESDAY October 21st the European Parliament narrowly voted to throw out a resolution expressing concern over media rights in Italy. Silvio Berlusconi, the country's prime minister, is also owner of Mediaset, one of Europe's largest media companies. But Italy's press freedom is a cause for concern according to Reporters Without Borders, an industry lobby group. Italy dropped five places to 49th in its annual world press freedom index, published this week, with only Bulgaria and Romania worst placed among EU countries. Out of the six annual rankings we consider, including corruption perceptions and economic freedom, in only one, the gender gap, has Italy improved.

AFP