“He has repeated that Russia has to pay the reconstruction of Ukraine, Should Israel pay? the reconstruction of Gaza, given that it has destroyed practically the entire Strip?”. This was the question made last October by the italian journalist Gabriele Nunziati, during a press conference with a spokesperson for the European Commission. And it has also been the reason for his dismissal by the Nova news agency, for which the reporter worked, which finally decided to let him go.
The question was “technically wrong“, “erroneous” and “out of place“, has confirmed the company itself, managed by businessman Fabio Squillante and which 3 years ago signed a collaboration agreement with Wam, a similar media outlet. United Arab Emirates.
For this reason, “it is evident that the relationship of trust with the collaborator, in this context, has come to an end,” explained Nova, when responding to a request for information sent by the Italian media Fanpage. “What’s worse, the video related to your question was taken up and spread through Telegram channels of russian nationalists and by means linked to political Islam for anti-European purposes, causing embarrassment to the agency,” they stated.
“Very serious episode”
The question had been raised by the reporter during a press conference on October 13, within the framework of a media meeting with lspokesperson Paula Pinho. Upon hearing the question—which highlighted the unequal treatment that the two conflicts receive—he refused to give an answer. “Gabriele, the question is interesting, but at this moment we have no comments on this“replied the European spokesperson.
The informationwhich became known this Wednesday, has caused the indignation of professionals of Italian information. In particular, the National Federation of the Italian Press (FNSI) has considered that “it is not acceptable that a question, no matter how uncomfortable, could cost one’s job.” “The union is willing to support his colleague in any decision he decides to make for his own protection,” they added.
Interference
The union that represents the Roman press, the ASR, has spoken along the same lines. “It’s a very serious episode of violation of professional autonomy, which reveals once again the need for greater contractual guarantees for collaborators, those most exposed to pressure and interference,” they have considered.
Nunziati himself has also given his version of the events. As he explained, after the aforementioned press conference, he received “some calls from my bosses. The tone was quite tense,” he said. “Then came the letter ending the collaboration relationship,” he explained.
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