State broadcaster Rai found itself at
the centre of fresh criticism on Monday in relation to the
handling by a renowned TV presenter of interventions by two
Sanremo contestants amid claims of censorship.
Domenica In presenter Mara Venier came under fire from viewers
on social media for allegedly silencing contestants Dargen
D'Amico and Ghali, who sparked a furore when he made an appeal
to "Stop the Genocide" on the final night of the event on
Saturday.
Some described the programme as a "shameful page in public
service" broadcasting.
Viewers took issue in particular with Venier's handling of
comments by D'Amico ion immigration.
"What immigrants put in to pay our pensions, is more than what
we spend on reception," said the rapper, only to be interrupted
by the presenter with the words: "But this is a party, we are
talking about music".
She could then be heard in the background saying: "You are
embarrassing me, I am not going to let you any more because this
is not the time".
Venier also came under fire in relation to the statement by Rai
CEO Roberto Sergio in response to claims by Israel's Ambassador
to Italy Alon Bar that the festival had been used to spread hate
following Ghali's appeal, which she read during the show.
The statement itself was accused of making no reference to the
Palestinian cause, while Venier was attacked for concluding with
the words: "These are the words of our CEO, which of course we
all share".
For his part, Ghali defended his stance.
"I've been talking about what's going on since I wrote my first
songs when I was 13-14 years old," said the Italian artist.
"It's not just since October 7, this has been going on for a
while.
"The fact that (the Israeli ambassador) talks like this is not
good. This policy of terror continues, people are more and more
afraid to say 'stop the war' and 'stop the genocide'.
People feel they have something to lose if they say 'long live
peace', this must not (be allowed to) happen," continued Ghali.
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