Il Manifesto
Encyclopedia
il manifesto is an Italian
newspaper
. While it calls itself communist
, it is not connected to any political party
. It was founded as a monthly review in 1969 by a collective of left-wing journalists engaged in the wave of critical thought and activity on the Italian left in that period. Prominent figures among its founders included Luigi Pintor and Rossana Rossanda
. In 1970 it became a daily. Although critical of the Italian Communist Party
(PCI), it was popular with many party supporters who saw it as more lively and independent than the party newspaper L'Unità
.
The 1991 PCI dissolution that gave birth to the social democratic
Democratic Party of the Left
was not followed by Il manifesto, a paper which maintains positions closer to those of robustly left wing parties, such as Communist Refoundation Party
, while remaining independent.
Il manifesto has recently gained reputation in Italy for its bitter and sarcastic
headline
s, often brilliant pun
s, enhanced by a clever choice of photographs. For example, the day of the election of Pope Benedict XVI
, the first page of
Il manifesto featured a large photo of the newly elected pope
, along with the title The German shepherd. Despite critics from political opponents on its contents,
Il manifesto is regarded almost unanimously as a notable example of creative and clever journalism. It also hosts the satirical
drawings of Vauro, one of the most famous Italian satirical authors.
One of its reporters, Giuliana Sgrena
, was kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents
in February 2005 and released on March 4.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
. While it calls itself communist
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
, it is not connected to any political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
. It was founded as a monthly review in 1969 by a collective of left-wing journalists engaged in the wave of critical thought and activity on the Italian left in that period. Prominent figures among its founders included Luigi Pintor and Rossana Rossanda
Rossana Rossanda
-Biography:Rossanda was born in Pula, then part of Italy. She studied in Milan and was a pupil of philosopher Antonio Banfi. At a very young age, she took part in the Italian resistance and, after the end of World War II, she entered the Italian Communist Party . After a short period, secretary ...
. In 1970 it became a daily. Although critical of the Italian Communist Party
Italian Communist Party
The Italian Communist Party was a communist political party in Italy.The PCI was founded as Communist Party of Italy on 21 January 1921 in Livorno, by seceding from the Italian Socialist Party . Amadeo Bordiga and Antonio Gramsci led the split. Outlawed during the Fascist regime, the party played...
(PCI), it was popular with many party supporters who saw it as more lively and independent than the party newspaper L'Unità
L'Unità
l'Unità is an Italian left-wing newspaper, originally founded as official newspaper of the Italian Communist Party.-History:L'Unità was founded by Antonio Gramsci on 12 February 1924, as the newspaper of workers and peasants, the official newspaper of Italian Communist Party : it was printed in...
.
The 1991 PCI dissolution that gave birth to the social democratic
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
Democratic Party of the Left
Democratic Party of the Left
The Democratic Party of the Left was a post-communist, democratic socialist political party in Italy.-History:...
was not followed by Il manifesto, a paper which maintains positions closer to those of robustly left wing parties, such as Communist Refoundation Party
Communist Refoundation Party
The Communist Refoundation Party is a communist Italian political party. Its current secretary is Paolo Ferrero....
, while remaining independent.
Il manifesto has recently gained reputation in Italy for its bitter and sarcastic
Sarcasm
Sarcasm is “a sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt.” Though irony and understatement is usually the immediate context, most authorities distinguish sarcasm from irony; however, others argue that sarcasm may or often does involve irony or employs...
headline
Headline
The headline is the text at the top of a newspaper article, indicating the nature of the article below it.It is sometimes termed a news hed, a deliberate misspelling that dates from production flow during hot type days, to notify the composing room that a written note from an editor concerned a...
s, often brilliant pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
s, enhanced by a clever choice of photographs. For example, the day of the election of Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
, the first page of
Il manifesto featured a large photo of the newly elected pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, along with the title The German shepherd. Despite critics from political opponents on its contents,
Il manifesto is regarded almost unanimously as a notable example of creative and clever journalism. It also hosts the satirical
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
drawings of Vauro, one of the most famous Italian satirical authors.
One of its reporters, Giuliana Sgrena
Giuliana Sgrena
Giuliana Sgrena is an Italian journalist who works for the Italian communist newspaper Il Manifesto and the German weekly Die Zeit. While working in Iraq, she was kidnapped by insurgents on February 4, 2005. After her release on March 4, 2005, Sgrena and the two Italian intelligence officers who...
, was kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents
Iraqi insurgency
The Iraqi Resistance is composed of a diverse mix of militias, foreign fighters, all-Iraqi units or mixtures opposing the United States-led multinational force in Iraq and the post-2003 Iraqi government...
in February 2005 and released on March 4.