Ravenna Municipality faces scrutiny over media gag clause in poverty services contract

The Emilia-Romagna Press Association, supported by attorney Valerio Vartolo, has filed a report with the National Anti-Corruption Authority (Anac) regarding a contract issued by the Municipality of Ravenna. The tender for services aimed at combating extreme poverty includes clauses that prohibit contractors and staff from providing news, data, or interviews to the media without prior discretionary authorization from the municipality.

The regional union (Aser) argues that these provisions constitute a form of preventive censorship and an information gag on essential public services. The contract also includes financial sanctions for companies that violate these communication restrictions, which union president Paolo Maria Amadasi claims creates a chilling effect that prevents workers and operators from communicating freely with the public.