THE D’ ALESSANDRO AFFAIR

INTRODUCTION

THE D’ALESSANDRO AFFAIR• Cristian D’Alessandro is one of the 30 activist of Greenpeace, accused of vandalism and piracy by the Russian authorities, for protesting peacefully against to preservation of the Arctic (drilling in the Arctic).

• D’Alessandro remarks the importance of protecting the environment. He sayd that: "when the last tree has been cut down, the last river poisoned, the last fish caught, we realize that we can not eat money"

THE BAIL • D’Alessandro was freed on bail in St. Petersburg (with other 9 Greenpeace activists) after paying a bail of about 45 thousand Euros which was paid with funds from Greenpeace International.

ARTICLE

Description ArticleIn this article, the focus is on the release of D'Alessandro and 9 other activists.The state of innocence of the Arctic 30 accusedof vandalism and piracy, is put in evidence .

“…Rimangono ancora in piedi accuse gravissime e manifestamente infondate…”"...Very serious charges still stand and manifestly unfounded…”

Headline: Is short and focused.

Terminology: There is a use of the term "Friends" and “Arctic30 " to describe the activists.

“..Non sappiamo ancora a quali condizioni i nostri amici verranno rilasciati..” "..We do not know the conditions under which our friends will be released.. ”

“..Gli Arctic30 non saranno liberi fino a quando anche l’ultimo di loro non sarà tornato a casa dalle proprie famiglie..”".. The Arctic30 will not be free until the last of them ,will not come home , to their families...”

In the article is mentioned a battle for the release of Arctic 30 and to declare their innocence, and the idea of teamwork .

“..Da domani saremo nuovamente in trincea perché rimangono ancora in piedi accuse gravissime e manifestamente infondate..”«..From tomorrow we will be back in the trenches because there are still very serious charges standing and manifestly unfounded .."

Language: Is simple and feisty.

ARTICLE

Description ArticleIn this article D'Alessandro is described as a brave man ready to fight , for the preservation of the environment :

“…Non teme la Giustizia russa che pure vuole processarlo per teppismo..”

"... Do not fear the Russian Justice although wants to prosecute him for hooliganism .."

Headline: Is focused on the innocence of Cristian D'Alessandro. The title uses the D'Alessandro’ s words, giving importance to his courage and love for his ideals:

"..La galera russa non mi ha cambiato, tornerò a combattere per l'Artico..""..The Russian prison has not changed me, I will return to fight for the Arctic ..”

Language: The language remarks the individual story of Cristian D’Alessandro.

ARTICLE

Description ArticleThe article doesn't speak about Christian D'Alessandro.His name is mentioned only at least, in the list of prisoners released by bail.Activists are described as peoplewho fight for the preservation of environment meanwhile the first charge of russian autorities was “piracy”.

Keywords

“Hopes rise for rest of Arctic 30”“protest against Arctic drilling”

Rosangela Maciel (an activist mother) define the daughter:

"A person who only does good for the planet"

That's the words and sentences that could show how this newspaper set on the side of the activist.

ARTICLE

Description ArticleThis article could appear as the most neutralbecause doesn't interview no one, none the activists neither the russian authorities.Even in this article Cristian D'Alessandro is mentioned only in the list of the released detenee.

KeywordsRussia’s Prirazlomnaya oil rigIs the only article to mention the oil rig attackedby the activist.

At least the article focus on the “granted bail for the Arctic sunrise crewmembers” as the headline says.Seems that article focus on the mercy of the russian authorities.

CONCLUSIONS

• The first difference between the articles is the focus on the protagonists of the events. Obviously the italian one focused on Cristian D'Alessandro story, on his experience in the russian jail and on how he felt after detention. For example the article of Russia today mention Cristian only in the list of the activists released by the russian police.• Another difference is the point of view. We expected from the article of Greenpeace

the voice of the protagonists.• But Greenpeace speaks only with the voice of the organization in the article.• It is the Guardian to give voice to parents of the prisoners

D’Alessandro Stefano De Marco Valentina