Sports journalists at the Italian state broadcaster Rai are organizing protests due to multiple blunders made by their sports director, Paolo Petrecca, during the commentary of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Petrecca mistakenly identified the location of the ceremony, referring to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome instead of the correct venue, the San Siro in Milan, which drew immediate backlash. Moreover, he confused prominent personalities, mistaking actress Matilda De Angelis for Mariah Carey and Kirsty Coventry, the president of the International Olympic Committee, for Laura Mattarella, the daughter of the Italian president.

Mockery erupted on social media as viewers highlighted Petrecca's gaffes, with even Matilda De Angelis humorously responding to the mix-up. This incident has not only affected public perception but has also been leveraged by political opponents of the current government, pointing out Petrecca's ties to Giorgia Meloni's far-right administration. The remarks and mistakes have sparked a wider conversation about the professionalism expected of public broadcasters and the influence of politics on journalistic integrity.

In response to the outcry, CDR, the union representing the journalists at Rai, has announced that sports broadcasters will participate in protests aimed at highlighting the importance of accountability and professionalism in sports journalism. The situation reflects the ongoing tensions within Italy where public broadcasting intersects with political affiliations, further complicating the trust viewers hold in state media during significant national events like the Olympics.