Update

Some developments in the fight over media concentration in Italy about which I posted two weeks ago.

Rome (Reuters, December 16) - Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi Monday rejected a controversial media bill that critics say was tailor-made for Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's media empire.

Ciampi said in a statement he was sending the bill, which relaxes limits on media ownership, back to parliament for further work. It was the first time Ciampi had refused to sign a bill into law for anything other than budget reasons. ...

In five pages of observations sent to parliament where they were read aloud, Ciampi said the bill failed to guarantee greater plurality in the media and could lead to the formation of dominant positions, especially in the area of advertising. ...

Berlusconi, through his political office and his business interests, has direct and indirect influence over an estimated 95 percent of Italian TV. ...

The head of press freedom at Europe's largest security and human rights watchdog attacked the law last week, saying it would strengthen Berlusconi's grip on the media.

Parliament can now amend the bill based on Ciampi's observations or vote on the law again without making any changes. If it passes a second time, Ciampi would be obliged to sign the bill into law.

We'll have to see if the Italian public ultimately has any more success resisting massive media monopolies than we have.