Newspapers and bulletins on radio and televisions in Italy closed down on Friday as journalists went on strike over proposed legislation at curbing wiretapping.
The government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wants to restrict the right of police and prosecutors to tap phone lines, and ban the publication of transcripts until preliminary investigations have been carried out - a process which can take years.
Mr Berlusconi argues that tightening the law is necessary to protect the privacy of Italian citizens but journalists say that the prime minister wants to protect himself and his allies, the BBC reports.
