Corruption the Italian way | Measuring the phenomenon between reality and perception

“Italy is a corrupt country, one of the most corrupt countries in the world”, “Politicians only care about their own interests”, “Friendships are essential to avoid long waiting lists”, “Politics is all about money”: these are just examples of repeated phrases when talking about corruption in our country.These generalizations hide widespread dissatisfaction, the roots of which are difficult to pinpoint, and in turn contribute, through a vicious cycle, to the image of a corrupt country with no hope of reform. To understand the origins of this negative portrayal, Anna Stanziano goes beyond the numbers: despite the numerous corruption crimes recorded over the years, the author argues that this is only part of the truth.The missing part, which is often overlooked, is that this perception is due to the media, their narratives about our country, and their exaggeration of the phenomenon. After all, reportage is essential in shaping public opinion and citizens' perception of their country, especially when it comes to issues relevant to the functioning of democracy.