Il manifesto

Infobox Newspaper
name=


type = Daily newspaper
format = Broadsheet
foundation = 1969
owners = Coop. Editoriale Il Manifesto
political = Communism
headquarters = Rome, Italy
editor = Gabriele Polo
website = [http://www.ilmanifesto.it/ www.ilmanifesto.it]

"Il Manifesto" (Italian for "The Manifesto") is an Italian communist newspaper. It was founded as a monthly review in 1969 by a collective of left-wing journalists engaged in the wave of critical thought and activity on the Italian left in that period. Prominent figures among its founders included Luigi Pintor and Rossana Rossanda. In 1970 it became a daily. Although critical of the Italian Communist Party (PCI), it was popular with many party supporters who saw it as more lively and independent than the party newspaper "L'Unità".

The 1991 PCI dissolution that gave birth to the social democratic Democratic Party of the Left was not followed by "Il Manifesto", a paper which maintains positions closer to those of far left parties, such as Communist Refoundation Party, while remaining independent.

"Il Manifesto" has recently gained reputation in Italy for its bitter and sarcastic headlines, often brilliant puns, enhanced by a clever choice of photographs. For example, the day of the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the first page of "Il Manifesto" featured a large photo of the newly elected pope, along with the title "The German shepherd". Despite critics from political opponents on its contents, "Il Manifesto" is regarded almost unanimously as a notable example of creative and clever journalism. It also hosts the satirical drawings of Vauro, one of the most famous Italian satirical authors.

One of its reporters, Giuliana Sgrena, was kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents in February 2005 and released on March 4.

External links

* [http://www.ilmanifesto.it/ il manifesto homepage]
* [http://www.vauro.net/ Vauro's satirical drawings]