Italy suffered a news black-out for the second time in two days on Tuesday (17 December) when printing workers called a twenty-four hour stoppage.

Last weekend, journalists and entertainment workers' unions called a strike which meant the non-appearance of newspapers, restricted television and radio output and the closure of cinemas and theatres. The journalists' union has threatened more strikes throughout the week ... and in the meantime, news-stands lie empty, except for magazines.

The printers' strike was in protest against newspaper employers' failure to meet new pay demands as the printers' national labour contract comes under review.

In addition, the typographical union has joined with the journalists in seeking greater worker participation in the running of newspapers. They want the right to resist transfers of ownership which they consider not to be in their best interests.