Rai has sent a letter of disciplinary complaint to Serena Bortone in reference to the post published by the journalist on its social profiles on 20 April regarding the Scurati affair. As per practice, in the protest the journalist is asked for any justifications and clarifications”. This was announced by the company in Viale Mazzini. A concept reiterated shortly afterwards by the CEO of Rai, Roberto Sergio, in a hearing in the Supervisory Commission: “It is not a provision disciplinary but a request for clarifications and explanations. And then you can decide what actions to take. It is a protest, not a provision”. The same manager then had his say on the case of the writer whose speech on the “Che Sara” program, with a monologue on Liberation, was cancelled: “On the Scurati affair – said Sergio – neither the participation of the guest nor the reading of the monologue was prohibited. Neither participation nor the reading of the monologue which was then performed by Mrs. Bortone on the broadcast was ever prevented. These are the facts.”
“Serena Bortone was accused, as has happened in similar cases, of the post published on social media in violation of company policy regulations: there are rules that must be respected by all employees. The legislation prohibits making public statements on activities , news or company events. The complaint is a necessary action and will follow the procedure established by the regulation”, specified the CEO of Rai, Roberto Sergio.
The CEO himself recalled that “an audit is being concluded for which we will have the definitive results shortly, we can anticipate that there will be two aspects examined: the first any procedural misalignments in the operational process, and I can say that there are certainly some states; the second, behaviors of individuals regarding which reports on the incident have been promptly requested from the subjects involved. The overall outcome of these double checks will be evaluated for actions to improve the processes and/or interventions towards the employees”. According to the CEO of Rai, this affair “has created reputational damage to the company and to all employees, with an accusation of non-existent censorship”.
Rai’s general manager, Giampaolo Rossi, also spoke on the Bortone case: “If there is equality of rights – he said – there is also equality of duties. We are trying to verify whether there have been violations “. On the authorization needed to make statements, Rossi underlined that “it applies to the general manager as well as to the least employee”.
For Usigrai, the proceedings initiated against Serena Bortone are unacceptable. “And so he did it: Roberto Sergio, the man who as a Rai manager and radio director publicly attacked the Radio Rai Newspaper on social media, now as CEO he punishes with disciplinary proceedings those who, even through social media, defend their freedom and professionalism from an “asphyxiating” control system on the work of Rai journalists”, comments on social media Daniele Macheda, Usigrai secretary, who adds: “The measures announced on the Scurati affair have therefore reached the wrong person open disciplinary action against Serena Bortone is unacceptable.”
For the deputy of the Alleanza Verdi Sinistra, Angelo Bonelli, who spoke in the Supervisory Committee where the hearing of the CEO Roberto Sergio and the CEO Giampaolo Rossi is taking place, “it is a very dark situation from the point of view of the democracy of our country – he added – I invite you to reflect, it is an extremely serious fact”.
The Bortone affair aside, the CEO of Rai, Roberto Sergio, spoke about much more at the Supervisory Commission hearing. First of all, the company in Viale Mazzini which, in his opinion, “is the victim of destructive fury”. “A fury – he explained – which seeks to counteract facts, data, numbers, concrete and verifiable results with imaginative reconstructions and even defamatory accusations which not only damage the reputation and value of Rai but which mortify the community of women and men who work every day to bring the best of their abilities into the homes of Italians”.
“Rai – Sergio continued – not only does not deserve this treatment but needs to be protected and defended from fake news artfully constructed to discredit and obtain some headlines in the newspapers”. Sergio also underlined that “a year in office has also seen positive results in terms of public satisfaction. Even in this case, unfortunately, we have had to witness a series of mystifications and exploitations which had the sole objective of discrediting an asset as precious as Rai”.
For Sergio, “the Rai generalist networks both in the entire year 2023 and in this first quarter of 2024 confirm their leadership in ratings. This is true both throughout the day and in prime time – he added – despite the impacts of the further reduction of the advertising crowding limits foreseen for 2023, advertising collection recorded a growth of more than 22 million euros, further demonstrating the appeal of Rai products. Once again we must deny and overturn the ‘news’ that it wants ratings and consequent declining advertising revenues”. Sergio also said that he had “asked the director Stefano Coletta to include ‘Insider’ in the next summer or winter schedules”, regarding Roberto Saviano’s program that did not air.
Sergio also addressed the chapter of Franco Di Mare, the war correspondent suffering from an incurable tumor who a few weeks ago had ‘denounced’ the inaction of the company in Viale Mazzini to which he had turned to ask for his service status with the list of places where he had worked.: “The documentation he had requested was sent yesterday via certified e-mail”, assured the CEO.
Another topic touched upon in the Supervisory Commission is the discussion between all the political leaders in view of the European elections: “We are working to ensure that the discussion between the leaders can be hosted: there will be a single discussion between all the candidate leaders, before the vote, let’s work so that it can be hosted” on Rai.
Finally, going back a few months, the Sanremo Festival again with the controversies linked to John Travolta’s ‘sponsored’ performance on the Ariston stage: “From the internal audit – said Sergio – it emerged that neither the employees nor were RAI’s external collaborators aware of the actor’s desire to wear shoes with the U-Power company logo, which was not recognized before joining. The contract stipulated with the Divina Luna company expressly provided for the ban to introduce elements of advertising or promotional value unless authorized by Rai. The performance violated the agreements, we have initiated an action in the civil court of Rome, against Divina Luna and U-Power, for breach of contract and violation of the obligations of correctness, for compensation for damages, including reputational ones. Furthermore, the payment of the entire compensation for Travolta’s performance has been suspended”. “If the company representing Travolta intended to make agreements that go beyond the indications provided, it is not known, we are not involved, we would be if the facts that occurred were ascertained” concluded the Rai CEO.