In a recent editorial, Tommaso Cerno discusses the troubling trend of censorship within the Italian left, particularly pointing fingers at movements like the Five Star Movement and certain media entities such as the broadcast program 'Report.' He argues that these groups are increasingly using preventive censorship and delegitimization tactics against specific voices and perspectives, which he associates with an illiberal culture. Cerno invokes the thoughts of Benedetto Croce, stating that true liberalism must embrace pluralism in freedoms, implying that current restrictions by the left contradict this foundational principle.

Cerno stresses the importance of Article 21 of the Italian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. He warns that the growing number of plural freedoms that the left and, more so, the Five Star Movement, are neglecting or attempting to suppress represents a significant threat to liberal values. Furthermore, he highlights the chilling effect of preventive censorship in media, where specific viewpoints are silenced or marginalized, labeling this as one of the most illiberal acts that can occur in a democratic society.

The editorial culminates in a call to recognize and uphold the diversity of opinions as essential to a vibrant democracy. Cerno's argument resonates with broader concerns about the erosion of civil liberties in the face of perceived social and cultural threats, reflecting an ongoing debate in Italy about the balance between freedom and control, particularly in media and public discourse.