Journalists at Italy's public broadcaster RAI are protesting staffing shortages, budget cuts, the denial of fair contracts to those working on the network's news programs, and what they call the government's “suffocating control”. , went on strike on Monday.
The strike against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government follows the sudden cancellation of a monologue play by anti-fascist Italian writer Antonio Scrati scheduled to commemorate Italy's liberation from fascism on April 25. Some say the move shows how the RAI is becoming a “spokeshouse for the government.” ”.
“We have always advocated for keeping political parties out of the RAI. We object to the Renzi reforms that have placed the RAI under the control of successive governments. We hope you will help us,” Daniele Makeda, secretary of Usigurai, the trade union representing the striking journalists, explained the reason for the strike at a press conference on Monday.
Ussigulai criticized political efforts to make RAI a “spokeshouse of the government”, including the consolidation of publications without consultation with trade unions, the lack of replacements for those who retired or went on maternity leave, and the lack of public service. He highlighted several grievances, including the lack of a selection process. Salary reductions include salary reductions for new employees and the abolition of performance bonuses.
Vittorio Di Trapani, an RAI journalist and president of the Italian National Press Federation (FNSI), who was also present at the press conference, said the group had always fought against any attempt to ridicule freedom of expression, but said: Did it happen?” he said. What has happened in recent months is unprecedented.”
On Sunday, Usigulai released an animated video explaining the reasons for the strike, but RAI management said the journalists were striking for “ideological and political reasons” that “have nothing to do with workers' rights.” He responded by accusing him of
Political influence over the RAI has been a long-standing issue in the country, as RAI directors are appointed by parliament and the government and elected according to their political party affiliation. It was also a way for the government to reward its loyal supporters with top jobs.
Maya Sebel, president of the European Federation of Journalists, lamented Italy's failure to protect the independence of its public broadcasters.
“We have been calling for greater independence for Italian public broadcasting for years,” she said.
“Instead of following the spirit of the new European media freedom law, which strengthens the independence of public broadcasters in Europe, the Italian government is working on political capture of the RAI,” she added.
The strike comes just days after Italy's press freedom rating was downgraded by Reporters Without Borders, placing the country in the “problematic” category alongside other EU countries such as Poland and Hungary. I was disappointed.
The reason for the downgrade was cited by Italian News Agency 2 by Antonio Angelucci, a lawmaker affiliated with Matteo Salvini's Lega party, which already controls three conservative dailies and is currently part of a three-party coalition. It was a plan to acquire AGI.
(Alessia Peretti | Euractiv.it)
