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Summary
Thousands of Italians demonstrated in Rome to defend press freedom, which they say is threatened by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his grip over the media. The protest was called after Berlusconi issued writs for a combined four million euros (5.8 million USD) against two left-leaning newspapers over their coverage of the sex scandal which has engulfed the prime minister since May. Berlusconi has also launched legal actions against media abroad, including Britain, France and Spain, for libel in their coverage of his private life.
