In a letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded to the annual report on the state of the rule of law in the EU, which had raised concerns about Italy. Meloni stated that the recommendations made by the Commission were not significantly different from previous years, but she expressed frustration that some individuals had distorted the content of the report for political purposes. Specifically, there were claims that the rule of law in Italy was at risk, particularly in regards to freedom of information within the public broadcaster Rai.
Meloni defended her government’s position by pointing out that there has been no political interference in the governance of Rai. She explained that the reforms to Rai were initiated by the previous government led by the Democratic Party in 2015, with opposition from her party, Fratelli d’Italia. She clarified that her government had not yet utilized the existing legislation to make changes to the leadership of Rai, and argued that any perceived interference in the broadcaster’s operations was not a result of her government’s actions.
The Prime Minister also addressed concerns about resignations of journalists and presenters at Rai, which were attributed to changes in the broadcaster’s editorial line. Meloni stated that these resignations were part of normal market dynamics rather than interference by her government. She dismissed accusations that Rai had violated rules of fairness in coverage, particularly during the European Parliament elections, as being politically motivated and distorted for specific agendas.
Meloni highlighted the decision of the Parliamentary Supervisory Commission on Rai to exclude representatives of certain institutions from the fairness rules during the 2024 European elections, a practice that had been followed in previous elections as well. She questioned why this decision was criticized, considering it had been implemented in earlier elections without issue. She emphasized her commitment to upholding the values of the European Union and ensuring progress in Italy in terms of free information, combating fake news, and promoting pluralism in the public broadcasting sector.
The Prime Minister criticized the attacks against Italy as being baseless and opportunistic, fueled by a climate of misinformation and fake news that has polluted the discourse in Europe. She expressed disappointment that even the Commission’s report had been used in this manner. Meloni reiterated her dedication to upholding the principles of the EU and working towards a more transparent and diverse media landscape in Italy. She reassured that her government is focused on ensuring that the country respects the fundamental values of the European Union and continues to progress in the realm of free information and public communication.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Meloni’s letter to President von der Leyen serves as a robust defense of her government’s actions regarding the rule of law in Italy, particularly in relation to the freedom of information within the public broadcaster Rai. By addressing each point of contention raised in the report and highlighting the context in which decisions were made, Meloni aims to emphasize her commitment to upholding EU values while also pushing back against what she perceives as unfounded attacks and political manipulation. She reiterates her government’s dedication to combating fake news and promoting pluralism in the media landscape, reaffirming the importance of upholding the rule of law and democratic principles within the European Union.
