Berlusconi: Smeagol Or Lord Of The Web?
Why compare Italian’s Prime Minister Sylvio Berlusconi with Smeagol (Gollum) from Tolkien’s Hobbit & Lord of the Rings? Since it looks like the tv and media tycoon feels he has turned into the Lord of the Web…
Italy is the only country in Europe where the prime minister is the owner of media. Berlusconi’s TV stations and the -buy his government controlled RAI have 90% of the eyeballs in Italy. And 80% of the Italian population gets its information from TV.
Can you imagine that Italy is the only country in Europe that has just approved a law which makes video websites like YouTube (owned by Google) responsible for all the uploaded content? With this ridiculous law, for the first time in history, internet companies like YouTube will be fully responsible and accountable for the user generated content that is uplaoded.
Ever since I have been a member at the IAB (since 1997) I have been surprised about the Berlusconi’s fanatic rage against the internet. 10 years ago he started a privacy campaign against the internet and he opted for regulations. Strange contracdiction though, is that Berlusconi is always the one braking all rules of morality.
Today he was happy to have championed the crazy law that was approved in Italy. Should the reason be that he will all in his power to protect his cash cow TV stations?
Or is the main reason for Berlusconi’s anti YouTube rage, the fact that Berlusconi’s attack was faked? Since a YouTube video which suggested that the attack on Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was faked, has become an overnight sensation.
Tell us your opinion.. Is Berlusconi Italy’s Smeagol or Lord of the Web?
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I wouldn’t call him a lord of anything, well, maybe lord of the barnyard
What I find disturbing is when a politician, and even worse when I prime minister is only thinking about his own interests and not the people.
It’s obvious that he’s only interest is earning a bigger profit for his own companies. How he got elected is a mystery to me, even though he controls information.
@Jens
You are so right.
History has proven to us, what can happen if fanatic leaders get control over media…
I think the error mr B. is making is to look at social media as the same way as the old good media that everyone knows how good he can control, buy and sell so well in his country.
It’s a matter of time until some revolution in italy happens, not in the standard terms but in digital ones. And what comes to these measures that B. is taking, it’ll just delay it.
@ Alexandre
Agree 100% with you.
Maybe he should learn to understand that control is just an illusion?
Might that be a mentality and DNA thing at Mr. B?
Cheers
Unfortunately I’m italian. I can assure that there won’t be any revolution. We’ve been anesthetized for over 30 years by the most stupid, fake, close-minded, soft-pornographic commercial TV in the world. Mister B. (which i call “The Tumor”) has gained all his power after he has litterally brainwashed this country.
@ igor & alexander:
He wont understand that “control is an illusion”… just because control is not an illusion. “Control” is the very “reality”. He’s actually allowed to make laws to save himself from court, to make the parliament works just to save his companes. We all know that he has had (and still is in contact with it) troubles with mafia: does it mean anything to the masses? Does it change people mind?
Of course not, because people believe in TV more than they beleive their own eyes.
No f****g way out dude, trust me. We are lost in the middle-age of massive communication.
@Guido
We understand your frustration. And we have sympathy for you.
Maybe the internet can help the smart Italians to start a movement to create awareness and change?
Cheers
Igor
@ igor
there are actually quite a lot of internet based social-movements against this shit, but it’s not enough, since 80% of population get their information from TV.
I’m goin 2 spend a year in LA, so I’ll be away 4 a while, hoping that when i’ll be back the enemy will be defeated. Who knows, maybe Italy will become a cevilized country sooner or later.
*civilized
@Guido
I understand the problem. At least good that there are similar movements… and probably things will change in 2 years.
And for the rest: LA is a very nice one, enjoy it.
You might want to visit many companies in SF, San Jose etc
If you ever have the time: visit Institute for the Future in Palo Alto!!! Really, really cool!
Cheers
Igor
Italy is like a kleptocracy. Italian politicians are magic pipers. Many people in pension or housewives are very ignorant. Only 19% of the population had a university degree. The latest in Europe.
Magistrature is the only democratic istutution remained in the Country. Berlusconi thinks that he’s over the law.
p.s.
I’m italian.