Italian media panorama faces main shake-up as proposed sale of GEDI Group newspapers sparks protests and requires the federal government to intervene.
Italy’s authorities on Friday stepped into the controversy surrounding talks over the proposed sale of two of the nation’s main newspapers, La Repubblica and La Stampa, to Greek media big Antenna.
The GEDI group, owned by the Agnelli-Elkann household’s holding firm Exor, confirmed to its editorial workers this week that it intends to promote its belongings by January, resulting in protests and strikes by journalists on the left-leaning La Repubblica and La Stampa.
After months of rumours, Exor confirmed that it’s in unique talks with Antenna, led by Greek transport magnate Theodore Kyriakou, for the sale of most of GEDI’s media belongings, which embrace the 2 newspapers in addition to information outlet HuffPost and radio stations Deejay, Capital and m2o.
During a gathering in Rome on Friday, Alberto Barachini, the undersecretary in command of data and publishing, urged GEDI executives to safeguard jobs and editorial independence at La Repubblica and La Stampa, Reuters stories.
Established in 1988, Antenna operates 37 tv channels in Europe, North America and Australia, along with streaming, radio and digital companies.
Strike motion
GEDI representatives met the editorial boards of La Repubblica and La Stampa on Wednesday to offer data concerning the proposed sale, confirming that talks had been at a sophisticated stage and that the sale ought to be accomplished by January.
The assembly, described by La Stampa’s editorial workers as “disconcerting, disheartening and humiliating”, led to industrial motion by journalists at each newspapers.
The editorial board of La Stampa determined to not publish the newspaper, regardless of the request of director Andrea Malaguti, provided that Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella was scheduled to go to the newspaper’s headquarters in Turin on Thursday in an indication of solidarity over final month’s assault on its editorial workplaces.
The go to by the president was duly cancelled, with La Stampa journalists holding a publishing blackout and declaring themselves in “everlasting meeting”. They have requested a clause for employment continuity within the sale.
La Repubblica journalists declared a strike for Friday — with no web site updates or Saturday newspaper — and are ready for a “season of wrestle”. They have demanded job ensures and respect for the paper’s political and editorial line.
Fate of La Stampa
Complicating the proposed sale is the truth that the Antenna group shouldn’t be interested by buying La Stampa which was established in 1867.
The most superior choice for La Stampa at present includes NEM, a gaggle of entrepreneurs from the northern Veneto area who beforehand bought different regional newspapers from GEDI.
Selling La Stampa off individually raises issues as a result of its technical, digital and social media sectors are shared with the remainder of the GEDI group, Il Post stories.
News of the talks was confirmed formally this week after GEDI issued an announcement refuting stories that negotiations had been underway with Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, son of EssilorLuxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio, specifying that it was in unique talks with the Antenna group.
Political response
Opposition political events have raised issues for editorial independence and urged the right-wing authorities of premier Giorgia Meloni to intervene, in addition to becoming a member of commerce unions in demanding the safety of jobs.
The centre-left Partito Democratico (PD) has referred to as on the Meloni coalition to make use of its so-called golden powers — particular laws which grants the federal government the precise to vet, situation or veto company takeovers if deemed within the nationwide curiosity — in relation to the deal.
“We are extraordinarily involved in regards to the dangers of weakening and even dismantling a elementary bastion of democracy” – PD chief Elly Schlein stated – “At stake is not only a publishing group, however the nation’s historic and civic heritage.”
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