Press freedom at risk in Italy

Question for written answer  E-001099/2024
to the Commission
Rule 138
Sabrina Pignedoli (NI), Maria Angela Danzì (NI), Tiziana Beghin (NI), Laura Ferrara (NI), Mario Furore (NI)

Media ownership in Italy is converging into the hands of fewer and fewer people. Lega MP Antonio Angelucci is in talks with ENI about buying Italian news agency AGI, in which the Ministry of Finance – headed by fellow Lega member Giancarlo Giorgetti – has a stake. Alongside his parliamentary duties, Angelucci already owns three dailies: Libero, Il Giornale and Il Tempo. If he were to acquire AGI too, he would gain an even more dominant position in the Italian publishing market.

Let us not forget that, in addition to Angelucci, an MP from a political party in power, the Berlusconi family, which funds Forza Italia, owns Mediaset. What is more, Matteo Renzi’s act reforming governance at the public broadcaster, Rai, is still in force; this empowers the government to appoint directors and other senior managers at the company. In the light of the above:

• 1.In the Commission’s view, would this further acquisition be in line with the recently adopted Media Freedom Act?
• 2.Will it ask Italy to provide an explanation for the concentration of its media in the hands of a few owners and to justify their political connections?

Submitted:12.4.2024