I came up with the idea for Unbound in November 2024, shortly after moving to
Jordan to report on the Middle East for English-language outlets. Fresh from
Columbia Journalism School, I found myself reflecting on the limitations I had
experienced in Italian media — a space where I never felt I could do the kind of
journalism I aspired to.
Back in 2022, while applying to journalism schools, I already knew I couldn’t see a
future for myself in Italy’s industry. It felt stagnant, closed off, and riddled with
structural barriers. But this wasn’t just my personal struggle — it reflected a broader
disillusionment shaping my generation. Since my teens, I believed the only way to
chase my dreams was to leave Italy and seek opportunities in English-language
media. That feeling has only grown stronger.
I’m not alone. I spoke with a journalist who spent years trying to break into the field
at home before moving to the US — now the thought of returning to Italy seems
impossible. “Journalism in Italy is dead,” he said. Over the last 15 years,
thousands of Italians have left in search of better opportunities, with few returning.
For young journalists, the frustration runs especially deep: some relocate to more
dynamic media environments abroad, while others try to survive at home amid
precarious contracts, low pay, and a culture of self-censorship.
Unbound was born from the need to tell these stories. This three-part podcast gives
voice to the struggles and hopes of young Italian journalists navigating an uncertain
future.
What struck me most in making it was their determination: despite everything,
they keep pushing forward, carving out space for themselves in the field they love.