DPA case 10188249 – Dismissed (Italy, 2025)

A journalist produced a video report then published by the news channels Fanpage and La7 about the political youth group “Gioventù Nazionale”, affiliated with the government party “Fratelli d’Italia”. This report showed the group in various moments, from participations to public manifestations, to members-only group meetings. The group was seen in multiple frames engaging in anti-democratic behaviour. The journalist had access to these moments by introducing herself to members of the group as a journalist of a newpaper affiliated with the political party, thus concealing her true intentions. Members of this group filed a complaint with the DPA against the news broadcaster employing the journalist (the controller), and asked to remove the video from the internet. They claimed the main event depicted was a private meeting, in a private domicile, thus needing their consent to be recorded. In addition, minors were present in the recording. The news broadcaster highlighed that the tight link between Gioventù Nazionale and the current government majority makes this report relevant for public interest, especially showing the antidemocratic behaviours being undertaken by the group. Tackling the data subjects’ arguments, they replied that images show that the one reported was a clearly political and organised event, not a private meeting among friends. This is supported by the fact that accommodation was rented, participation fees collected, and leaders were speaking in a microphone behind a desk. Thus the controller argues that there were no violations, since the face and voice of people in the videos were concealed, with exception to the leaders, as their names and faces were already known to the public. Similarly, minors were never recorded, if not for group moments outdoors, where they did not speak and their face was concealed. The DPA dismissed the complaint. The processing was carried out in the public interest according to the relevant national provisions grant