The European Commission's annual report on the rule of law has raised serious concerns regarding Italy's judicial independence and press freedom.

The report highlights a lack of progress in protecting journalists, citing an increase in defamation cases that hinder journalistic activities.

It also criticizes recent judicial reforms, including the repeal of the abuse of office crime, which could impede investigations into corruption.

Additionally, the report points to the governance of Rai, Italy's public broadcaster, as a long-standing issue, calling for reforms to safeguard it from political interference.

The Commission urges the Italian government to ensure that media can operate independently and to respect the separation of powers, warning that current trends threaten democratic principles.