Famous Italian Commie Paper Could Fold

Yesterday morning one of Italy's most popular Communist newspapers, il manifesto, broke the news: it risks closure due to financial difficulties. Il manifesto, founded June 23, 1969 by Lucio Magri and Rossana Rossanda, has been a lifeline for the Italian left. The tabloid format newspaper is known for its provocative headlines, conspiracy theory-ridden leftism, and scathing anti-American coverage. It is also known, although on a lesser scale, for its art, music and film reviews.

On November 3rd, 2004, the paper ran "Good Morning America: with an avalanche of votes the Americans chase Bush away from the White House... ...During the evening exit polls decree the defeat of the man of the preventative war". Later that day the paper retracted its statement saying "...it was a journalistic error, but also a sign of passion and political emotion... ...against the most dangerous and criminal of presidents... ...we excuse ourselves for this 'false' report, and how we alluded to a future without George W. Bush."

Il manifesto was also the paper involved in the now-famous Calipari Affair, in which an Italian Sismi agent was killed. Giuliana Sgrena, a reporter for il manifesto was taken hostage by insurgents, held for an entire month (from Feb. 4th, '05 to Mar. 4th, '05), allegedly a ransom was paid, and Calipari was killed by an errant bullet at a U.S. checkpoint during Sgrena's release. Sgrena was wounded in the shooting mishap, but lived to tell her story.

Il manifesto seems to be convinced, as does much of the Italian media, that Calipari was intentionally killed by the U.S. for collaborating with wanted insurgents, and for paying millions of euros in ransom money in exchange for Sgrena's release. Sgrena called it "an attack on unimbedded journalists."

As of late-yesterday the homepage of il manifesto showed a cartoon drawing of a man holding up the paper's logo. Below the man a placard reads: "Sostieni un bene comune" -- Support a common good.

The paper is currently accepting donations.