The Media's Role in the Perception of the 'Ndrangheta: A Political Issue or a Sporadic Emergency?

The reference to the 'Ndrangheta in article 416bis of the Italian penal code - which has recognised the crime of mafia association since 1982 - was added in 2010. For decades, the power and presence of the 'Ndrangheta has been underestimated by the states because of the strategy adopted by the Calabrian mafia. Unlike the 'Cosa Nostra and the Camorra, which became known to the public through the dramatic events of the last century, successful films and television series, the 'Ndrangheta has always preferred the path of business, colonising territories without a traditional mafia presence. The media play a crucial role in constructing public perceptions and influencing policy, particularly in the case of organised crime. By examining media coverage of the 'Ndrangheta, according to the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF), the paper will examine how media representations have constructed the narrative surrounding the Calabrian mafia and how this narrative has influenced policy development. In the last 20 years, the media's framing of the 'Ndrangheta has evolved, especially after key events such as the Duisburg massacre (the first outside Italy's borders), the 'Crimine-Infinito' operation (the largest in northern Italy) and the Lamezia Terme 'maxi-trial' presided over by judge Nicola Gratteri. The increasing attention paid to these events has led to a change in the way the organisation is perceived, both by the public and in political circles. By analysing the main characters involved and the construction of the protagonists and the events, this paper aims to understand how media representations affect the recognition of the 'Ndrangheta as a serious criminal threat and the subsequent political responses.