Privatising Mamma RAI
If the BBC is the “Auntie”, the RAI is the �Mamma� in Italy. Yesterday, Domenico Siniscalco, Berlusconi�s Minister of Economy and Finances, confirmed that the public service broadcaster will be privatised. Privatisation of RAI will take place in the second half of 2005, later than initially announced.
In 2004, the Italian audiovisual law (�Gasparri� Law) opened up the way for the privatisation of RAI and the sale of some of its activities from 2006. Mr. Siniscalco had made clear its intention to privatise about 30 per cent of RAI�s capital. Tomorrow, the Italian regulatory authority will determine accounting separation models for the activities financed via a licence fee, and those that are financed through advertising. It is expected that the privatisation will take off once RAI publishes its semester results.
More on this coming up…
Monica Arino
