02 November 2024
While the new Rai Board of Directors still remains without a president, with the appointment of Simona Agnes stalled due to the opposition’s opposition to making it official, events relating to the structural revolution of public television continue. On Tuesday 5 November at 11.00, in the Sala Colletti of the Chamber of Deputies, the press conference will be held for the presentation of Forza Italia’s proposal on the reform of the radio and television system. Present at the meeting will be the presidents of the Italian senators and deputies Francesco Gasparri and Paolo Barelli, the Fi in Vigilance group leader Roberto Rosso and the members Rita Dalla Chiesa and Andrea Orsini. Senator Gasparri had already illustrated this proposal a few days ago in the Salon D’Hercules of Palazzo Farnese, during the event organized by Eurovisioni moderated by Duilio Giammaria and the President of the Supervision Barbara Floridia.
The Eurovision event, led by Michel Boyon, illustrated the proposals of the Italian parties relating to the future of the public service and the reform bills whose process was based on Commission VIII of the Senate, chaired by Claudio Fazzone (Fi).
In addition to Senator Gasparri, Stefano Candiani of the League, the deputies Federico Fornaro and Stefano Graziano of the Pd, the senator Dolores Bevilacqua of the M5s, Maria Elena Boschi (IV), the deputy of Avs Giuseppe De Cristofaro and Maurizio Lupi of Noi Moderati took part. Everyone agrees on the unconstitutionality of the “Renzi law” which handed over Rai to the Government, and on the need to return it to Parliament and civil society, extending the governance mandate to a maximum of six years (compared to the current three). Gasparri also recalled that he had filed a text for the abolition of the position of Ad Rai and the return to the General Director. The FNSI president Vittorio Di Trapani, the Rai councilor Roberto Natale (Avs), the USIGRai secretary Daniele Macheda, Renato Parascandolo of Articolo 21, Stefano Balassone and others then spoke at Palazzo Farnese.
Vittorio Di Trapani, noting without irony the “total agreement” of the various parties on the topic, hoped that this idyll would lead to an early vote among group leaders to discuss the reform in the deliberative body “otherwise we are still here in August”.
Yes, because in August 2025 the European Media Freedom Act will come into force, according to which the procedure for appointing the Rai Board of Directors is de facto illegitimate. Meanwhile, what happened to the appeal to the TAR presented months ago by three candidates for the Rai Board of Directors, Antonino Rizzo Nervo, Stefano Rolando and Patrizio Rossano, supported by the former president Roberto Zaccaria, who supported the unconstitutionality of the procedure for appointing the Rai governance ? The sentence – considered a “sword of Damocles” on the current Rai structure – was set for October 23rd. On 17 October, however, the appellants presented additional reasons, and so the new hearing was set by the TAR for 5 February 2025.
In the two days following the FI conference, on 6 and 7 November, the event organized by the president of the Supervision Barbara Floridia, entitled «The challenges of public service», will start in the Zuccari Hall of Palazzo Giustiniani. A meeting with sector experts to rethink Rai in the digital age and promote independent and pluralist information. Among the speakers: CEO Giampaolo Rossi, Marcello Veneziani, Aldo Grasso, Bruno Vespa, Giovanni Floris, Alessandro Morelli, Adolfo Urso, Augusta Montaruli, Noel Curran, Paola Severini Melograni, Franco Bechis, Marco Travaglio, Alessandro Sallusti, Mario Sechi. Will the ambitious transversal event finally untie the knot on the nomination of Simona Agnes by making the 2-3 votes necessary to make it official appear? We will see.
#Rai #pact #depoliticize #Forza #Italia #leads #Tempo
**Interview with Vittorio Di Trapani, President of the National Federation of the Italian Press (FNSI)**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Vittorio. Thanks for joining us today to shed light on the evolving situation at RAI and the calls for reform.
**Vittorio Di Trapani:** Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** Let’s start with the recent report that highlighted RAI’s lack of independence and the importance of protecting journalists. How do you view the current state of media freedom in Italy?
**Vittorio Di Trapani:** The situation is quite concerning. The report emphasizes a crucial point: RAI, as a public broadcaster, should operate independently of government influence. The existing governance structure, particularly after the “Renzi law,” has led to significant issues regarding freedom of the press and the protection of journalists.
**Interviewer:** What specific reforms are being discussed to address these concerns?
**Vittorio Di Trapani:** There is a broad consensus among various political parties that the governance of RAI needs to change. They aim to abolish the position of the Ad Rai and restore the role of a General Director, which would help depoliticize the organization. Additionally, extending the governance mandate to six years is another important proposal.
**Interviewer:** How do you think these changes would impact the quality and independence of journalism at RAI?
**Vittorio Di Trapani:** If implemented, these reforms could significantly enhance the integrity and independence of RAI. It would allow journalists to report without fear of governmental interference, fostering a healthier media environment and ultimately benefiting the public.
**Interviewer:** There are also concerns about the timeline for these changes, especially with the European Media Freedom Act coming into force in August 2025. How urgent is the situation?
**Vittorio Di Trapani:** It’s critical. The current appointment procedure for the RAI Board of Directors may be deemed illegitimate once the Act is in effect. This creates a “sword of Damocles” hanging over the current structure, and if we delay necessary reforms, we could face a media crisis. I hope the discussions lead to swift action.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned a legal appeal about the appointment procedures. Can you give us an update on that situation?
**Vittorio Di Trapani:** Yes, there is ongoing litigation concerning the constitutionality of the appointment procedure for RAI’s Board. A ruling was expected but has been postponed to February 2025, which adds another layer of urgency to our reform efforts. We need clarity and direction moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Vittorio, for your insights on this vital topic. It seems the path ahead will be challenging, but necessary for the future of RAI and media freedom in Italy.
**Vittorio Di Trapani:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential to keep these discussions alive; the future of our media landscape depends on it.
