Priority question for written answer P-002652/2021 to the Commission Rule 138 Alessandro Panza (ID), Marco Zanni (ID), Marco Campomenosi (ID), Paolo Borchia (ID), Danilo Oscar Lancini (ID), Simona Baldassarre (ID), Mara Bizzotto (ID), Isabella Tovaglieri (ID), Antonio Maria Rinaldi (ID), Alessandra Basso (ID), Annalisa Tardino (ID), Luisa Regimenti (ID) Subject: ‘Anni 20’ programme on RAI 2 On 14 May 2021, a letter was addressed to the acting director of the RAI 2 TV channel, Ludovico di Meo, referring to a report in the programme called ‘Anni 20’ criticising certain choices made by the European institutions. The letter was signed by Carlo Corazza and Antonio Parenti, respectively head of the European Parliament office and head of the Commission representation in Italy. Given that in Italy the communications watchdog AGCOM is responsible for ascertaining whether all broadcasters conduct themselves properly, the EU officials in question branded the reports broadcast as false and accused the Italian public information service of 'suffering from euro-illiteracy'. The letter ends by expressing the hope that director Di Meo would intervene and take action against those responsible for the TV programme, thereby literally undermining the freedom of expression and impartiality to which all journalists are supposed to adhere. In view of this, can the Commission answer the following questions: 1. Was this an independent initiative on the part of the Commission Representation and the European Parliament Liaison Office, or was it requested by the Commission itself? 2. In the Commission’s view, is intervening in respect of broadcasting decisions made by a TV station of a Member State – in this case an Italian news channel – among the duties of the two representatives involved? 3. In its view, is such action compatible with the principle of freedom of the press, which has, quite rightly, been repeatedly celebrated by the EU? Supporters1 1 This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Susanna Ceccardi (ID), Rosanna Conte (ID), Gianantonio Da Re (ID), Francesca Donato (ID), Elena Lizzi (ID) PE693.418v01-00.