The demonstration in defence of freedom of the press scheduled for 19 September in Rome has been put off until 3 October in sign of respect for the six Italian soldiers killed in Afghanistan on 17 September.

The protest, organised by the national union of journalists (Federazione Nazionale Stampa Italiana) and the union representing journalists employed by the public service broadcaster RAI (USIGRAI), has been called in response to recent attacks against newspapers, television programmes and individual journalists that are critical of Silvio Berlusconi and his government.

Journalists are taking to the streets to protest the threat posed by the prime minister