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.
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