Feb 10 • 15:08 UTC 🇬🇷 Greece To Vima

Winter Olympics: Crisis in Italy's public television after the opening ceremony fiasco

Italian public television's Rai journalists plan strikes following the disappointing coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Italian public television journalists from Rai's sports department have declared their intent to initiate a series of strikes right after the Winter Olympics conclude. This comes in protest against the handling of the opening ceremony, following which the journalists have opted to withhold their names during live broadcasts as a show of dissent. They express deep concern over the damage inflicted by the director of Raisport, stating that it has affected not only the interests of paying viewers who support public broadcasting but also the reputation and operational integrity of Rai as an organization, as well as the entire sports sector that passionately contributes to such major events.

In particular, the journalists have openly questioned the quality of the television coverage during the opening ceremony, which took place last Friday. Their decision is a direct response to perceived failures and mismanagement by the channel's leadership, particularly targeting the performance of the director of Rai Sport, Paolo. Considering that the Winter Olympics represents a significant opportunity for national pride and media exposure, the journalists believe that the management should be held accountable for the inadequacies in transmitting this prestigious occasion to the audience.

This crisis within Rai highlights broader issues about the governance of public broadcasting and the expectations of both viewers and media professionals involved. As strikes loom on the horizon, it raises concerns about the immediate future of the coverage for the remaining events of the Winter Olympics, as well as the potential long-term repercussions for sports journalism in Italy and the public's trust in Rai.

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