Journalism

Farewell to Franco Abruzzo, historic president of the Order of Journalists of Lombardy

He was born in Cosenza in 1939. A journalist, he worked at 'Il Giorno' and 'Il Sole 24 Ore'. Generations of practitioners were trained on his books

12 April 2025

2' min read

Franco Abruzzo, journalist, historic president of the Order of Journalists of Lombardy and expert in information law, has died. On his books, in particular the monumental 'Code of information and communication', generations of practitioners studied in preparation for the state exam in Rome. Il Giorno writes that Abruzzo passed away at his home in Sesto San Giovanni where he was 'cared for to the last by the three great loves of his life: his wife Diana and daughters Vittoria and Anna Maria'.

Francesco ('Franco') Abruzzo was 85 years old. He was born in Cosenza on 3 August 1939, graduated (with honours) in Political Science and History from the State University of Milan, and had been a professional journalist since 3 February 1963.

He began his profession on 1 October 1959 at the Calabrian editorial offices of the daily newspapers 'Il Tempo' and 'Giornale d'Italia' and then moved to Milan in 1962, where he worked (as a judicial reporter and chief of reporting for 'Politico' and 'Fatti della Vita') at 'Il Giorno' from June 1965 to November 1983 (at that time directed by Italo Pietra, Gaetano Afeltra and Guglielmo Zucconi ).

From December 1983 (called by Gianni Locatelli) to March 2001 he worked at 'Il Sole 24 Ore' (chief editor, columnist and correspondent).

In July 1975, he was hired by Eugenio Scalfari as a judicial reporter for 'la Repubblica' (but later renounced the post).

In 1978, together with Walter Tobagi and Massimo Fini, he founded the trade union component of 'Stampa democratica', and between 1975 and 1982 he served several times on the Board of Directors of 'Il Giorno', on the Council and Board of the Lombardy Association of Journalists, and on the National Council of the Fnsi. In November 2010, he was elected councillor of the Lombardy Association of Journalists 35 years after the first time.

He was a councillor of the Lombardy Order of Journalists from June 1986 to June 2007 and was its 'historic' president for over 18 years (through seven elections) from 15 May 1989 to 7 June 2007. In May 2010, he was elected for the eighth time as councillor of the Order of Milan. From October 1986 to May 2007, he was editor-in-chief of 'Tabloid', the monthly magazine of the Lombardy Order of Journalists. He was also president (from May 1989 to May 1991) of the 'Walter Tobagi' Association for Training in Journalism, the non-profit organisation that ran the 'Carlo De Martino' Institute for Training in Journalism.

Franco Abruzzo was known for his profound knowledge of legal subjects applied to information. He first taught History of Journalism and then Information Law at the University of Milan Bicocca and the Iulm University in Milan. His books include 'Il giornalista, la legge e l'esame di Stato', 'Guida del giornalista' and the 'Codice dell'informazione e della comunicazione'.