Brothers of Italy MEPs tell EU Commission 'Report' TV show is biased

Members of the European Parliament from Italy's Brothers of Italy party (FdI-ECR) have lodged a complaint with the European Commission, alleging that the public service television program "Report" violates European norms by presenting a one-sided narrative. The MEPs argue that a public service program used systematically in a biased manner undermines the European principles of impartiality and pluralism.

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The political clash around Report and Sigfrido Ranucci is moving to Brussels and simultaneously returning to the case of Valter Lavitola.

The complaint, led by MEP Stefano Cavedagna, a rapporteur on the European Media Freedom Act, contends that "Report's" investigations, particularly those concerning Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her party, Fratelli d'Italia, are constructed through "allusions or suppositions." The party claims these reports aim to cast doubt and discredit the party rather than engaging in genuine journalistic inquiry.

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The program is systematically used in a one-sided manner, infringing European principles of impartiality and pluralism.

According to the FdI delegation, an analysis of 404 investigations broadcast since the Meloni government took office shows that 43.5% of the examined content focused on Fratelli d'Italia and the Prime Minister. "We do not dispute Report's right to conduct investigations," Cavedagna stated, emphasizing that while freedom of information is sacred, its systematic, one-sided use by a public service program is not acceptable.

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The investigations dedicated to the prime minister's party are defined as 'theorems' constructed through 'allusions or suppositions' with the aim of 'casting shadows and discrediting' rather than conducting real journalistic investigations.

Meanwhile, "Report's" host, Sigfrido Ranucci, has been indirectly drawn into the controversy. Giuseppe Giulietti, coordinator of the press freedom group Articolo 21, posted on social media, reminding that Ranucci's friendly relationship with Valter Lavitola was known since November 2023. This resurfacing of Ranucci's past associations adds another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding the program's perceived biases and the political storm it has generated.

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We do not dispute Report's right to conduct investigations. Freedom of information is sacred, but its systematic use in a one-sided manner by a public service program is not.