2024-09-12
TRIESTE - An investigation supported by Journalismfund Europe — via the Local Cross-border grant programme — has received a book deal to be published in 2025.
The investigative project, The Business of Madness, is a cross-border investigation that sheds "light on how deinstitutionalisation is taking place in 5 regions of 4 different member states: Spain, Italy, Belgium and The Netherlands." Based on the investigation, mental institution patients are subjected "to neglect and abuse of human rights, reflected in high mortality rates." The main focus of the investigation looks at how the fundamental rights of people with mental health diseases are being violated in different EU countries.
Ludovica Jona, one of the grantees from the investigative team, has been asked to translate a successful podcast, "Tutta colpa di Basaglia," based on the investigative project, into a book by the prominent Italian editorial company, Mondadori, which is scheduled to be published in early 2025.
This type of success is a testament to how available resources such as CBLocal grant programme allow local journalists to be part of an investigative project that they believe will benefit the communities they serve. Her work, along with her colleagues, has garnered positive attention from associations of psychiatrists, mental health workers, and other activists. She has continued to investigate the topics of physical constraint for psychiatric patients in public hospitals.
Congratulations, Ludovica! Looking forward to reading the published book.
Photo by Marco Cavallo
