The media power of the Meloni Government
Following victory in the October 2022 elections, the post-fascist ruling group was faced with the decision of repudiating its neo-fascist past or attempting to rewrite history. According to the Italian writer Antonio Scurati, author of the best-seller “M, the son of the century”, the Government has opted for the second option. This position has generated concern in Italy about the control of the media space by the Government of Giorgia Meloni, especially on Rai, the third channel of Italian public television.
Control of public television
The main union of journalists of the public broadcaster, Usigrai, has denounced the suffocating control of the parties over Rai. The journalists have declared a state of unrest and are planning a five-day strike. The willingness of the parties that support Meloni’s Executive to turn television into a “government megaphone” has been noted, which has generated concern about the independence of Rai.
Surveillance of journalists and freedom of the press
In addition to the control over public television, there have been other cases that have stirred the debate on press freedom in Italy. The possible acquisition of the AGI agency by a parliamentarian close to Meloni and the inclusion of journalists from the Domani newspaper in an investigation have raised concerns about the siege of journalists and press freedom in the country.
Call to support independent media
Faced with the investigation of journalists and the risk of turning investigative journalism into a crime, the National Federation of the Italian Press has commented that journalists never commit a crime when publishing news, and has called for respect for the right to report, freedom of information and the right of citizens to have independent media. This call has been supported by European organizations in defense of freedom of expression and journalists’ unions, as well as various media outlets.
Reactions and comments
The writer Roberto Saviano has expressed his solidarity with the Domani journalists, while the writer Antonio Scurati has generated controversy with the cancellation of his participation in a Rai program. Giorgia Meloni has responded to criticism on her social networks, generating debate about the situation.