Food for Profit - Filini (FDI) asks about funding from Plant-Based companies against Rai's impartiality obligations

The deputy of the Brothers of Italy asks an interrogation to Foa to clarify the rules on advertising on public service

The issue of financing from companies operating in the sector of vegetable-based products continues to heat up the political debate

Rome, 24 February 2023 - A question to the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso to clarify if the advertising campaign of the "Food for Profit" program broadcast on Rai 1 "is in contrast with the obligations of impartiality, truthfulness and completeness of information of the public service". Thus the deputy of the Brothers of Italy, Tommaso Foti, asks for clarifications on the financing of the television program which, he observes, is entirely dedicated to the promotion of plant-based products.

Foti notes that "the aforementioned television program - broadcast for over a year on Rai 1 during prime time - entirely favors products that are not of animal origin, in conflict with the principles of impartiality and pluralism that should characterize the public service".

"It should also be noted that the aforementioned program - continues Foti - is almost entirely financed by companies that operate in the sector of vegetable-based products. This circumstance raises doubts about the independence and impartiality of the information provided by the program itself. In fact, it is legitimate to ask whether the financing received by these companies can influence the content of the program and the way in which information is presented to the public".