After being excluded from the schedules of the four episodes of “3Insider, face to face with crime,” a project that has been in the works for over a year, the writer responded to CEO Roberto Sergio’s statement about “non-compliance with the ethical code.” Saviano stated, “They have invented a code that caters to the desires of those – like Salvini – who in 2015 wrote: ‘I would trade two Mattarellas for half of Putin.'” Roberto Saviano, in response to his exclusion from Rai, commented, “It is a political decision. There is no longer space on public television to address the issue of antimafia.”
The decision by the Italian public broadcaster Rai to remove Roberto Saviano’s latest project, “3Insider, face to face with crime,” from its programming lineup has sparked controversy and raised questions about editorial independence and political influence within the media landscape.
Saviano, an acclaimed writer known for his critical stance against organized crime and corruption, expressed his disappointment over the decision and questioned the rationale behind it. In a direct response to Rai’s CEO, Roberto Sergio, who cited “non-rispondenza al codice etico” (non-compliance with the ethical code) as the reason for the exclusion, Saviano accused the broadcaster of fabricating an ethical code that aligns with the desires of certain individuals, specifically referencing Matteo Salvini, the leader of the right-wing Lega party.
Drawing attention to Salvini’s controversial statement from 2015, where he expressed a willingness to trade two Italian presidents for half of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Saviano implied that Rai’s decision was politically motivated and designed to suppress voices critical of powerful figures. By invoking this episode, Saviano shed light on what he perceived as a double standard in Rai’s alleged commitment to ethical standards.
In response to his removal from Rai, Saviano further criticized the state of public television, claiming that there is no longer room for addressing pressing social issues such as organized crime and the fight against the mafia. According to him, the decision to exclude his project reflects a broader trend where the space for critical and independent voices is shrinking within the realm of public broadcasting.
The controversy surrounding Saviano’s exclusion from Rai shines a spotlight on the delicate balance between editorial independence and potential political interference in media organizations. The incident raises concerns about the extent to which media outlets can operate without external influences and pressure from political actors.
Saviano’s critique of Rai’s decision echoes larger debates about the role of public broadcasters in society and their responsibility to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and critical scrutiny. As public institutions funded by taxpayers, these broadcasters are expected to prioritize the public interest over political considerations.
The exclusion of “3Insider, face to face with crime” from Rai’s schedule not only deprives viewers of an opportunity to engage with important societal issues but also adds to the ongoing conversation about the state of media freedom and pluralism in Italy. It remains to be seen how this controversy will unfold and whether it will prompt a reevaluation of the relationship between media, politics, and the public interest in the country.
