Italy: Last year alone 48 journalists received police protection after their work led to mafia death threats

It's not only in former communist countries that press freedom has yet to firmly take root. In nations battling rich and influential crime syndicates - especially drug cartels - reporting on their ties to bought off police and politicians can be lethal. And while that applies mainly to Latin American countries like Mexico and Columbia - western European nations are at risk as well. In Italy - journalist Roberto Saviano had to go underground because of his all too accurate reporting of the activities of the Neopolitan camorra. Last year alone 48 Italian journallists received police protection after their work led to mafia death threats.