Italy: Cuts at private TV channel "pose a serious danger to pluralism in Italian media," says IFJ

IFEX ::

"(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 September 2008 IFJ media release:

EFJ Says Wave of Layoffs at Italian TV La7 is Dangerous for Pluralism

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the European group of the International Federation of Journalists, today expressed its solidarity with staff and unions at Italian TV channel La7 who are facing an unprecedented wave of lay-offs that will cut more than a quarter of the work force.

"Not only did these massive lay-offs take place without warning but they also pose a serious danger to pluralism in Italian media," said EFJ President Arne König. "This TV channel is the only alternative at national level to the public broadcaster RAI, which is controlled by Prime Minister Berlusconi's government, and the channels owned by Mr. Berlusconi outright, which makes it very precious."  "