Demonstrators have protested in Rome against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's influence over the media.

Organisers claim 300,000 people took part in the rally in the city's central Piazza del Popolo.

City officials say 60,000 people were at the protest, while agency journalists put the figure at more than 100,000.

Some protesters wore t-shirts with the writing "now you can sue me too", and a group of musicians played with gags over their mouths.

They were references to Mr Berlusconi issuing writs against two left-leaning newspapers for their coverage of a sex scandal that has engulfed him since May.

The scandal involves prostitutes who were allegedly invited to his residence in Rome.

Mr Berlusconi dismisses the allegation as gossip, and says he is the victim of a smear campaign.

- AFP/Reuters