Following the controversy surrounding comedian Andrea Pucci's recent remarks, the Italian Democratic Party (Pd) has escalated its campaign against Tommaso Cerno, the current director of Il Giornale. Pd politicians have raised alarms over Cerno's potential involvement in a new informational segment, La Notizia, scheduled to air on Rai 2 starting March 3. They have submitted a request for clarifications to Rai management, expressing concerns that Cerno's background as a director of right-leaning newspapers could compromise the impartiality of the public broadcaster.

Cerno, known for his previous roles in other publications with close ties to the government, has been under scrutiny by the left, who claim that his appointment would further the misuse of Rai as a platform for political propaganda. A statement from Pd deputy members indicates that they view Cerno's possible program as detrimental, signifying another instance of bias in Italian state media, which they argue should be neutral and free from political influence.

In response to the accusations, Cerno has criticized the Democratic Party's efforts, suggesting that they are not satisfied with targeting comedians like Pucci but are also aiming to silence journalists like himself. His comments indicate a broader contention about media freedom and the right of individuals associated with political viewpoints to have a platform in public broadcasting, highlighting the ongoing tension regarding media ownership and influence in Italy’s political landscape.