The National Federation of the Italian Press (FNSI) was established in 1908 and refounded in 1944, and is a free association between the regional associations of journalists. It acts under Article 39 of the Italian Constitution which provides for the absolute freedom of trade union organization.

The FNSI is the single national union of Italian journalists and has as its main goals: the defense of press freedom, plurality of the media, protection of rights and moral and material interests of the class.

Main activity of the FNSI is to conclude collective agreements and work to ensure assistance to the journalists union in collaboration with regional trade union structures and Printing Company (Committees and Trustees of the editor).

The National Federation of the Italian Press is the only Italian journalists' union and is independent of any other force or political, and economic union.

The National Council of Fnsi are present in an advisory capacity, appointed by the journalists union confederations (CGIL, CISL, UIL and UGL) under an alliance signed in 1948, under which the other trade unions have recognized the Fnsi representation exclusive of the interests of the class journalism.

Governing bodies of Fnsi

The National Congress, with all the deliberative powers, held every four years with the participation of 208 delegates of professional journalists (ie working full-time) and 104 delegates from the delegates of un-professional or collaborative journalists, (those who work part-time as journalist) elected within the 20 member associations.

The National Council, a deliberative body which is entrusted with the task of carrying out the decisions and deliberations of Congress consists of 91 professional and 25 professional journalists directly elected in part by the National Congress and in part by the delegations of regional associations, the National Council are part of law, in an advisory capacity, the former President and former General Secretary of the Federation together with other persons holding the roles and responsibilities in the Public category.

The President, who may be a professional journalist or public expression of the unity of the class, is elected by the National Council from among its members.

The Executive Committee, governing body of the union, elected by the National Council is composed by the General Secretary, by the President, by 11 professional journalists and 3 un-professional journalists.

The Secretary-General, a professional journalist, is directly elected by the Congress and has the legal responsibility and operational leadership of the union. On the proposal of the Executive Secretary shall appoint the National Director of Fnsi which is responsible offices. The General Secretary can be assisted by one or more vice - secretary elected among the members of the  Executive Committee.

Among the governing bodies of Fnsi, there is also the National Conference of Editorial Committees and Trustees, an advisory body which brings together elected representatives from trade unions in all newspapers and the Council of the Presidents of regional associations.