Angelucci bid for AGI not exclusive says Eni

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 2 - Rightwing newspaper owner and healthcare magnate Antonio Angelucci's bid for Italy's second biggest news agency AGI is not exclusive and owner Eni is open to other offers, the state-controlled fuels giant said Tuesday.
    Angelucci, 79, an MP for the rightwing League party, already owns conservative dailies Il Tempo, Il Giornale (ex-Berlusconi) and Libero and his bid for AGI has been criticised on competition, freedom of information and conflict of interest grounds.
    Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti has come under fire for saying it is a potential anomaly for the State to control a press agency.
    He has also said the ministry does not have the final word on any deal, despite being the majority shareholder in Eni.
    Giorgetti is a League bigwig and has therefore also been accused of conflict of interest in the matter.
    AGI journalists have been on strike against the Angelucci bid.
    (ANSA).