On the ninth anniversary of Marco Pannella’s passing, which occurred in Rome on May 19, 2016, a conference in his memory was held at the Luigi Einaudi Foundation on the theme of the “Right to Know.”
This right represents the political and intellectual hallmark of Marco Pannella; a theme of clear relevance today, extending particularly from the conflict in Iraq in 2003 to the present day, in an uncertain geopolitical context. The aim is to increasingly affirm the Einaudian principle: “First know, then discuss, then deliberate,” primarily through the essential role of democratic parliamentary assemblies and the press.
Disinformation and foreign interference pose a serious threat to the security of countries governed by the rule of law. The spread of false information and cyber attacks intended to undermine democratic resilience and fragment the EU—carried out by hostile actors in political, economic, technological, and military spheres—require an updated understanding of the methods of influence being exercised in Italy and Europe.
Numerous resolutions by the European Parliament and conclusions of European Council meetings have highlighted the danger of information manipulation and the need to act in a unified manner to counter this phenomenon.
The Right to Know was recognized by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in 2021 and by the Italian Senate’s Special Commission for the Protection of Human Rights in 2022. In remembering Marco Pannella’s efforts on this issue, the objective of the conference is therefore to offer an updated analysis of the West’s vulnerabilities and potential countermeasures.