Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000339/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sandro Ruotolo (S&D)
On Friday 24 January, the CEO of RAI – whose top managers are appointed by the Government, an arrangement at odds with Article 5 of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) – sent out a circular announcing the designation of ‘editorial managers’ for all of the national broadcaster’s programmes.
The decision has been met with strong criticism, especially by the Union of RAI Journalists, USIGRAI, which labelled the move an attempt to control the state broadcaster’s editorial line by curbing the autonomy of its presenters and directors.
We cannot let RAI become a tool in the hands of whichever government is in office, especially given the existence of EU regulations like the EMFA.
The decision to directly manage Italy’s public broadcaster will compromise its editorial independence and impartiality and is a blatant violation of Article 3 of the EMFA. Having come into force on 8 November 2024, Article 3 obliges Member States to ensure that recipients of media services in the Union have ‘the right to receive a plurality of news and current affairs content, produced with respect for editorial freedom of media service providers’.
In the light of the above:
- 1.Does the Commission not agree that the RAI CEO’s decision is a flagrant breach of EU media legislation?
- 2.If it does, what steps will it take to ensure that the Italian government complies with the EMFA?
Submitted: 27.1.2025