Francesca Bria
Image: private
What is happening in Italy at RAI should alarm the whole EU. And against the tech companies we need a broadcasting alliance, says Francesca Bria. She advises Ursula von der Leyen on digital policy.
A scandal recently broke out at Italy’s public broadcaster, RAI. You have publicly opposed the new Italian government. What happened?
Carlo Fuortes, the channel’s CEO, recently resigned and was immediately replaced by a new government-appointed CEO. But that wasn’t a resignation. The Meloni government kicked him out. We are dealing with a situation reminiscent of the media control of the Berlusconi era. The case is important because it involves who controls a public media outlet at a time when far-right parties are on the rise across Europe and people are seeking greater security in the face of wars, pandemics, climate disasters, inflation and rising costs of living.