“The note from the director of Rai’s in-depth program doesn’t add up, according to what has emerged from the reconstruction of the events, it was an editorial decision.” Francesca Bria, a board member of Rai appointed by the Democratic Party, doesn’t mince words in refuting the press release from director Paolo Corsini regarding the cancellation of Antonio Scurati’s monologue on anti-fascism, just days before it was scheduled to air.
The article titled “Monologue by Scurati cancelled: the negotiation on compensation, internal documents and the decision. What doesn’t add up in Rai’s version” comes from Il Fatto Quotidiano, an Italian daily newspaper known for its investigative journalism.
According to the article, the controversy began when Scurati, a well-known author and historian, was invited to give a monologue on Rai’s program “Approfondimento” to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II. However, just a few days before the scheduled broadcast, Rai announced that the monologue had been cancelled due to “technical and editorial reasons.”
This decision sparked outrage and accusations of censorship, especially considering Scurati’s previous monologue on the same program had been highly praised. Bria, who is also a member of the Democratic Party’s national executive, publicly stated that the cancellation was due to a disagreement over compensation.
In response, Rai’s director Paolo Corsini released a statement denying any involvement of politics or compensation in the decision to cancel the monologue. He stated that it was purely an editorial decision and that the program’s budget had already been allocated to other projects.
However, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano, internal documents from Rai show that there was indeed a negotiation over Scurati’s compensation for the monologue. The documents also reveal that the decision to cancel the monologue was made by Corsini himself, without consulting the program’s editorial team.
This revelation has only added fuel to the fire, with many questioning the transparency and integrity of Rai’s decision-making process. Bria, in an interview with Il Fatto Quotidiano, stated that she believes the cancellation was due to political pressure and that Rai’s management is not respecting the autonomy of its editorial team.
The article also delves into the history of Rai and its relationship with the government, highlighting past instances of political interference in the network’s programming. This context only adds to the suspicion that the cancellation of Scurati’s monologue was not purely an editorial decision.
In conclusion, the article raises important questions about the role of politics and transparency in Rai’s decision-making process. It also sheds light on the ongoing battle for editorial independence within the network. Despite Rai’s attempts to downplay the controversy, the evidence presented in the article suggests that there is more to the story than meets the eye.
It is important for a public broadcaster like Rai to maintain its integrity and independence, as it plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and promoting democracy. The cancellation of Scurati’s monologue raises concerns about the network’s commitment to these values. Only time will tell if Rai will address these concerns and restore the trust of its viewers.
