Journalists at Italian state broadcaster RAI are gearing up for a strike next month in protest against what they describe as the “suffocating control” exerted by Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government. The reporters’ trade union, Usigrai, announced the 24-hour strike scheduled for May 6, citing concerns over political interference in their work.
The union highlighted attempts to transform RAI into a government mouthpiece, along with grievances such as staff shortages and the cancellation of performance bonuses. This strike comes amidst a long-standing issue of undue political influence over RAI in Italy.
The recent controversy erupted over the last-minute cancellation of writer Antonio Scurati’s talkshow appearance, where he planned to deliver a monologue criticizing Meloni’s party for its historical ties to fascism. RAI officials and Meloni denied censoring Scurati, attributing the decision to “editorial reasons.”
Meloni, whose party has roots in Mussolini’s fascists, has faced criticism for not explicitly denouncing fascism despite claiming to oppose totalitarianism. The broadcaster’s board members are appointed based on political affiliations, contributing to concerns about government interference.
Efforts to make RAI more independent have been discussed for years without tangible results. Since Meloni took office in 2022, several high-profile executives and presenters have left RAI due to government interference. Critics have also raised alarms over proposed legislation to increase defamation sanctions.
While the larger union of RAI journalists plans to strike, a smaller union, Unirai, has opted out, labeling the strike as a “political” protest. The ongoing battle for editorial independence at RAI reflects broader challenges in Italy’s media landscape.