“Free Cecilia Sala” is what you can read all around on the flyers of the silent bystanders gathered in Santi Apostoli square in Rome. They are all there to show their solidarity in a sit-in for Cecilia Sala, the Italian journalist arrested in Tehran on December 19.
To ask for the release and express sympathy for a colleague in distress, the Order of Journalists of Lazio organized on January 7 this quiet demonstration in the center of the Capital, just behind Venezia square. Several personalities participated the event, including colleagues and people from politics.
The sit-in started at 11:30 AM and lasted for almost one hour. During this time, people showed support towards Sala by holding the mentioned flyers in silence. No megaphones, no voices, no noise, just a written plea, that may resonate without breaking the media blackout asked by Sala’s family.
“As the President of the Order of Journalists, I place myself in the position, or rather, in the necessity, I would say, of having organized this gathering precisely to express my solidarity, on behalf of all our members and the community of Roman journalists, with a colleague who is registered with our order”, explains Guido D’Ubaldo, president of the Order of Journalists of Lazio.
“Few words,” tells briefly D’Ubaldo. “We will say nothing else, because the tone must still be kept low”, confirms Stefano Ferrante, from the Roman Press Association. Both in accordance with the effort to keep quietness around the case and with the hope of sharing the engagement of the journalists’ community without hindering the diplomatic activities that are taking place in different venues.
To the question of how colleagues may keep the attention active on the story without breaking the media blackout, hampering negotiations, D’Ubaldo answers: “We want to clarify that we respected the press silence because this demonstration was carried out in a very discreet manner, and the family was informed about it.” This also allows the community of Italian journalists to work as a “mediatic backup” for Sala, adds D’Ubaldo.
The case of Cecilia Sala before Rome’s sit-in
Cecilia Sala, collaborator for Il Foglio and Chora Media, has become famous for her coverage of global conflicts. She has been arrested in Iran and brought to Evin prison while reporting on the ongoing protests and political unrest in the country. Local authorities have detained Sala under unclear charges, sparking concern over press freedom and her safety. Despite diplomatic efforts from Italy to secure her release, Iranian officials have so far refused to grant her freedom.
The situation has drawn international attention, with media organizations and human rights groups calling for Sala’s immediate release. Her arrest highlights the increasing dangers faced by journalists reporting in authoritarian regimes and the critical need to protect press freedoms worldwide.
