by InTrieste
In a bold move underscoring mounting tensions between media independence and political influence, journalists at the Italian state broadcaster RAI announced a 24-hour strike slated for Monday. Their protest is a sharp rebuke against what they perceive as “suffocating control” exerted by the right-wing government led by Giorgia Meloni.
The journalists’ union, Usigrai, orchestrated the strike, citing grievances ranging from alleged attempts to muzzle RAI as a government mouthpiece to staffing shortages and neglect in replacing departing employees. A poignant animated video released by Usigrai outlines the rationale behind the strike, coming on the heels of a recent political storm surrounding the last-minute cancellation of a talk show appearance by esteemed anti-fascist author and academic Antonio Scurati.
Scurati, a recipient of the prestigious Strega Prize, aimed to critique the government, accusing it of historical revisionism rather than confronting its neo-fascist roots. RAI director Paolo Corsini vehemently denied allegations of censorship, dismissing them as unfounded.
Meloni waded into the fray, posting Scurati’s censored text on her Facebook page, framing RAI’s decision as a mere financial dispute over payment for airtime. However, solidarity with Scurati emerged within RAI, with presenter Serena Bortone defiantly reading his words live on air.
The brewing discontent within RAI echoes broader shifts in Italian media. The departure of veteran luminaries like Fabio Fazio and Bianca Berlinguer, coupled with the resignation of RAI’s former CEO Carlo Fuortes due to perceived political interference, underscores the growing tension between media autonomy and governmental influence.
As the strike looms, internal divisions surface, with the right-leaning union Unirai urging its members to cover for their striking colleagues. This move highlights the ideological fault lines within RAI’s workforce.
The timing of the strike coincides with Italy’s slip in the World Press Freedom Index, with concerns mounting over political encroachments on media autonomy. Notably, a member of the ruling coalition, Antonio Angelucci of the Lega party, is embroiled in a bid to acquire AGI, the country’s second-largest news agency, further fueling apprehensions about press freedom.
The RAI strike serves as a potent reminder of the delicate balance between journalistic integrity and political influence, echoing broader concerns about media freedom in Italy.
