Ciaopeople Srl, the publisher of the online newspaper Fanpage, has been slapped with a hefty fine of 3.5 million euros following an inspection by the Italian social security institution INPS. The investigation revealed that the company had been utilizing 'fake contracts' that allowed them to pay journalists significantly less than the industry standard—reportedly about 40% lower. This revelation has raised serious concerns regarding fair labor practices and the overall treatment of journalists within the company.

The National Federation of Italian Press (Fnsi) has voiced its outrage, emphasizing that the misapplication of employment contracts not only harms the journalists who are forced to accept insufficient salaries and minimal protections, but also represents a case of unfair competition against larger traditional publishing groups. The federation's statements underscore the importance of maintaining dignity in work, fair compensation, and adequate pension protections in the media sector, which should not be compromised for short-term profit gains.

A deeper context surrounds the birth of Fanpage in 2011, which was established as a digital platform aimed at engaging audiences with contemporary news coverage. However, as it grew, the concerns about the business's practices have brought to light the ongoing struggles faced by media workers in ensuring their rights are respected. This situation serves as a critical reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of labor laws within the journalism field to safeguard the interests of workers against exploitative practices.