Rai licence fee cut from 90 to 70 euro confirmed

Also for next year, the Rai licence fee, according to the new budget law, will remain in its reduced version at 70 euro already established with the last budget law passed at the end of last year. A decision that 'goes against what Europe asks of us,' warns Viale Mazzini board member Roberto Natale, recalling that the Media Freedom Act establishes for public service TV 'adequate financial resources', 'such as to safeguard editorial independence'.

The League's warhorse, the manoeuvre passed at the end of 2023 and entered into force in January this year had provided for a reduction, but only for this year, of the Rai fee from 90 to 70 euros (7 euros per month for ten months against the previous 9 euros). The loss of revenue for Rai was compensated by a contribution of 430 million for 2024, disbursed in three equal instalments in January, March and June, 'for the improvement of the quality of the public radio, television and multimedia service throughout the national territory'.

In the meantime, there is still a stalemate over the RAI presidency, with the majority once again deserting the sitting of the Vigilance Committee called to ratify Simona Agnes's appointment, sending the plenary to a standstill. There is still no date for the reconvening, but everything points to a postponement of at least a couple of weeks: the parliamentary work will, in fact, come to a halt for the Liguria regional elections on 27 and 28 October. The go-ahead for Agnes, indicated by the Treasury, is missing at least two votes to reach the expected two-thirds quorum: the opposition - in San Macuto compact - is lined up against the candidature, the centre-right prefers to lengthen the timeframe, aiming to reach the necessary support.

The opposition protested, crying 'attack on parliamentary democracy', while Forza Italia rallied around Agnes, accusing the minority of 'boycotting the debate'. A tug-of-war between centre-right and centre-left is thus going on, with crossed vetoes and deserted sittings. The fear of the minority, in particular of the PD (Democratic Party), is that the future balance may be affected by the appointments to the titles, which are probably expected to be on the Board's table as early as November. In addition to Rainews, Tgr and Rai Sport, which will presumably remain in the majority area, the head of Tg3 is to be assigned after Mario Orfeo's move to the direction of Repubblica: in pole position would be Bruno Luverà or Senio Bonini, names in the M5s orbit, although the game is still to be played.