Recently, a controversy has erupted in Sardinia involving an award presented by a Campania-based consultancy to the communications consultant of the regional governor, Alessandra Todde. The issue came to light thanks to the website indip.it, which in September highlighted the series of events leading to the awarding of 200,000 euros from the Sardinia regional government to a consultancy firm that seemingly had little previous activity. The funding was allocated through a stability law passed in April 2025 without any competitive selection process, raising questions about transparency and appropriateness.

As the scrutiny increased, it became evident that the awarded consultancy firm had been granted substantial funds under dubious circumstances. Following this, in May 2025, Jacopo Gasparetti was honored as the "communicator of the year" under 30 at the International Ischia Journalism Awards, an accolade organized by the Ischia Award Foundation, which is connected to the same consulting firm that received the public funding. This series of events has fostered growing concerns about possible conflicts of interest and the accountability of public spending in regional politics in Sardinia.

This situation underscores the need for greater oversight and transparency in the allocation of public funds to private consultancy firms, especially when such funds can potentially influence the outcomes of awards and recognitions within the media sector. The implications of this case extend beyond just the individuals involved, highlighting systemic issues in how regional governments operate and the potential for misuse of public resources, which can erode public trust in governance.