Hello everybody!
I'm from Italy. In Italy, if you have any kind of crash, you're automatically fined for "speeding in excess to road conditions", no regard for the actual speed. If you hit something, you're too fast...
Paying the ticket immediately is NOT required (you actually cannot pay immediately), as far as resident drivers are implied. I don't know for foreigners drivers.
But this obviously doesn't implies any arrest unless you refuse to show your documents.
I haven't read the original magazine article, but if the editor "is served a citation for crimes against the state", this could mean that he insulted the Polizia Officers.
Unless this was for hitting the Ferrari monument!