State broadcaster RAI's decision to
close the season of TV talk show host Fabio Fazio's 'Che Fuori
Tempo Che Fa' programme three episodes early caused controversy
on Monday, with Democratic Party (PD) leader Nicola Zingaretti
calling it "censorship against freedom of expression" in a post
on Facebook.
RAI1 said the decision had to do with normal changes to the
programming schedule during an electoral period, ahead of this
month's European elections.
However, RAI CEO Fabrizio Salini and the news directors were
reportedly not informed about the decision.
In an interview on Radio24, Deputy Premier and Interior
Minister Matteo Salvini, referring to Fazio's programme, said it
"bothers" him that "someone paid by the Italians, between three
and four million euros, makes a political programme", but denied
that he had anything to do with the decision to cut the last
three episodes of the season.
Salvini added that "I was sorry to read that since there are
elections there will be other programmes because I'd like Fazio
to be on the air at Christmas and Ferragosto.
"I want Fazio on the air on all channels 365 days a year
because the more he makes leftwing propaganda, the more Italians
open their eyes.
"Buy with his salary at least halved".
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