Five policemen and five demonstrators suffered mild injuries after a riot broke out during a protest outside the Rai headquarters in Naples on Tuesday against the public service broadcaster's coverage of the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a consequence of the Israel-Hamas war.
The protest had been called after Rai distanced itself from an appeal made by Sanremo contestant Ghali on the last night of the televised song festival to "stop the genocide" in Gaza, sparking an angry reaction from the Israeli ambassador to Italy.
Rai CEO Roberto Sergio subsequently issued a statement referring to the atrocities committed in the October 7 attacks againstIsrael and the plight of the hostages taken by Hamas, but making no reference to the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The statement was read out and endorsed by veteran TV presenter Mara Venier on Sunday on a show broadcast by Rai, during which she was also accused of silencing Ghali and another Sanremo contestant talking about immigration.
"Public service TV is the media escort of Israeli genocide," said the Naples Network for Palestine and other groups participating in the protest.
"Not only do they constantly censor the ongoing genocide in Gaza, but they express an openly pro-Zionist position in front of millions of television viewers," they added.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA