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Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday led
the tributes to Italian journalist, writer and pioneering TV
talk show host Maurizio Costanzo, who has died at the age of 84.
She described him as an "icon of journalism and of television,
who was able to tell the story of difficult years with courage
and professionalism.
"Thank you for bringing culture, charm and kindness into the
homes of the Italian people," she said in a Tweet.
Ex-premier and 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Giuseppe Conte said
via Twitter than Costanzo had "revolutionized communications and
TV" and recalled that he "took on the mafia without fear,
risking his own life.
"A piece of the cultural history of our country has gone," he
added.
Another giant of Italian television, Mara Venier, told ANSA that
Costanzo was one of the all-time greats of Italian journalism
along with the late Enzo Biagi and Indro Montanelli.
"I (also) want to say that I have lost a friend, a point of
reference in my life," she continued.
"He was a friend I continually confided in, one of the
cornerstones of my life".
Much-loved veteran pop star Gianni Morandi said Costanzo's death
caused him "great pain.
"I loved him," he added.
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