After the French elections, a controversy erupts at Rainews. The Democratic Party calls for the resignation of director Paolo Petrecca. “What happened last night is further proof of Petrecca’s inadequacy to hold the position of Rainews24 director,” declare the Democratic members of the Rai supervisory bicameral commission, who accuse Rainews of “silencing the outcome of the French vote.”
“Broadcasting right-wing rallies live without any filter; violation of impartiality and pluralism; biased reporting; omission of ‘uncomfortable’ news for the government; gagging opposition and free voices; constant blunders: this is Petrecca’s management style. Enough is enough, we will bring the request for the resignation of Rainews24 director Paolo Petrecca to the Rai supervisory commission. Public television – they conclude – must not and cannot become a regime television. It must remain a public service for the entire community, respect impartiality and the pluralism of information, and remain free. Petrecca has proven to be inadequate, and we demand his resignation.”
The Usigrai also weighs in on the matter. “The Public Service did nothing to promptly report on the results of the French elections, which speak directly to the future of Europe,” emphasizes the Executives in a statement.
“Yesterday, while Mediaset and LA 7 chose a tailored program to immediately report the election outcome, Rai did not pay any attention to the French election. The prime-time news programs hardly changed their schedule between a report on the weather and one on crime, and during the prime-time slot, Techetecheté and a music program aired on Raiuno, a movie on Raidue, and a rerun of Report on Raitre on unrelated topics. Not to mention Rainews 24, the Rai 24-hour news channel, which, against its editorial mandate, decided to open at 10:00 PM yesterday not with France but with the “Identity Cities” festival created by Edoardo Silos Labini. This issue was strongly raised by the Cdr to the Director, who instead of providing explanations, asked the union representation for answers, threatening lawsuits. Only the Radio Journal went on air immediately with a scheduled segment. The Usigrai finds it very serious that the Public Service did not inform viewers promptly and comprehensively about the events in France. Simply extending the generalist news programs and engaging the news channel in live coverage of the elections could have sufficed, but it was not done. We have been witnessing a significant reduction in information spaces traditionally managed by the Public Service’s journalistic outlets; this choice also reflects a shift in the narrative that harms Rai and the citizens.”
Petrecca’s Response: “Regretful, No Censorship on RaiNews Issue”
Director of Rainews24 Paolo Petrecca responds to the Cdr and Usigrai with facts. “A special on the French elections on Rainews24 was scheduled days in advance and indeed aired as planned. Regarding the 10 PM news opening on the Identity Cities festival, it was a free choice of the Deputy Director on duty,” says the director, “regretful for the continuous personal attacks, in this case, crossing the limits of decency.”
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