No more heroes anymore?

We often see journalists on TV giving their opinion about this story and that, but when have you ever seen a crowd of young people queueing to see a journalist they consider a hero?

Walking down the Corso Vannucci last night to find somewhere to eat after a day's travel, Nigel Barlow and I were struck by the hordes of excited teenagers lining the street. There were broadcast TV trucks interviewing wide-eyed youngsters. I presumed the Italian version of McFly were in town - but how wrong I was.

On our return trip there was a big screen illuminating the street and thousands of people were sitting and standing watching one man speak - Roberto Saviano. I recognised his face from page three of an Italian political newspaper I'd picked up in the taxi on the way to Perugia.

He was giving a surprise keynote speech* to open the 2011 International Journalism Festival, and the audience was hooked on every last word. This was the man who exposed the mafia in Italy.

The first words I uttered to Nigel were "this wouldn't happen in Britain". People in the street, young people, listening to the words of a journalist telling them about how he risked life and limb to get the story. A young, politically active and engaged audience - who in Britain wouldn't give their right arm for a piece of that action?

So, where are the heroes in British journalism? Or is it a case of no more heroes anymore?

*Unfortunately it was in Italian and the place was rammed, so no chance of a seat!