A well-known left-leaning TV host and
former Rai journalist, Bianca Berlinguer, has been secretly
recorded saying she would not be allowed to go on air anymore at
the State broadcaster, implying ruthless influence is exerted
now by government-friendly directors.
"Thank God I didn't stay", Berlinguer, who left her longtime
program at Rai3 last year to host a new one at Mediaset's Rete4.
"I would certainly not be on air anymore today", she said in
secretly recorded statements broadcast by satirical program
Striscia la notizia on Mediaset's Canale 5.
"I would not have accepted the rules", said the journalist, the
daughter of late Italian Communist Party leader Enrico
Berlinguer.
"They have told me there are absurd rules" in place now, "like
they control all reports, all texts", and they "boycott" certain
talk show guests, Berlinguer said while she was being secretly
recorded off air by Striscia la notizia.
Premier Giorgia Meloni has said she is "rebalancing" Rai after
past leftwing bias amid claims she has stacked the public
broadcaster with like-minded appointees and driven out
left-leaning journalists.
Rai staff have struck against her allegedly turning Rai into a
government mouthpiece.
In addition to Berlinguer, Rai registered a series of
high-profile departures last year including Carlo Fuortes, who
resigned as chief executive, citing pressure from the
government, and Fabio Fazio, a left-leaning talkshow host, and
his co-presenter, Luciana Littizzetto, a comedian known for her
monologues targeting conservatives
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