Rome, 18 August (LaPresse) – “The journalists at Tg3 are watching, stunned and concerned, as an attack is launched against an entire flagship programme on Rai3. Ranucci’s legal case will run its course; the judiciary will examine every aspect of an investigation in which he is currently merely the victim. Regardless of this, it is unacceptable that this should become a pretext for destroying a programme that is a fundamental part of the history of public service broadcasting in Italy. ‘Report’ is defined by its investigations: the only thing that matters is whether what it has revealed is true or false. And what it has revealed has always stood up to scrutiny in any partisan legal action, whilst also achieving huge viewing figures despite limited budgets.” This is what is stated in a note from the Tg3 Editorial Committee. “We therefore believe that this is precisely what is causing the problem. The publication of gross production costs (including travel expenses, hotels, crew costs, etc.) passed off as correspondents’ fees is yet further evidence of bad faith. Finally, it is striking – though not surprising – that the most relentless campaign against *Report* is being waged by a publication belonging to a publishing group that is a direct competitor of Rai3, which for months has been eroding our channel’s audience – and therefore ours as well. To us, the agenda seems all too clear. So let us say once again to the management of our organisation, regardless of Ranucci: ‘Let’s save Rai3; let Rai3 not die; long live Rai3’, concludes the statement.
Ranucci attack: TG3 Editor-in-Chief: “The investigation must not be used as a pretext to destroy *Report*”
Rome, 18 August (LaPresse) – “The journalists at Tg3 are watching, stunned and concerned, as an attack is launched against an entire flagship programme on Rai3. Ranucci’s legal case will run its course; the judiciary will examine every aspect of an investigation in which he is currently merely the victim. Regardless of this, it is unacceptable that this should become a pretext for destroying a programme that is a fundamental part of the history of public service broadcasting in Italy. ‘Report’ is defined by its investigations: the only thing that matters is whether what it has revealed is true or false. And what it has revealed has always stood up to scrutiny in any partisan legal action, whilst also achieving huge viewing figures despite limited budgets.” This is what is stated in a note from the Tg3 Editorial Committee. “We therefore believe that this is precisely what is causing the problem. The publication of gross production costs (including travel expenses, hotels, crew costs, etc.) passed off as correspondents’ fees is yet further evidence of bad faith. Finally, it is striking – though not surprising – that the most relentless campaign against *Report* is being waged by a publication belonging to a publishing group that is a direct competitor of Rai3, which for months has been eroding our channel’s audience – and therefore ours as well. To us, the agenda seems all too clear. So let us say once again to the management of our organisation, regardless of Ranucci: ‘Let’s save Rai3; let Rai3 not die; long live Rai3’, concludes the statement.