NEWS published on 02 Oct 2015

RAI asks schoolchildren to define their future public service "mission and values"

RAI asks schoolchildren to define their future public service "mission and values"
(Courtesy Articolo 21)

Prizes have been awarded in a national school competition to define the new mission and values for Italian Member RAI.

The purpose of the “new identity card for RAI” contest was to engage with Italian students and hear their views on the sort of values, mission, programming and services RAI should provide its citizens. Students had to explain their vision in 800 words or less. An award ceremony announcing the winners was held at the RAI headquarters in Rome on 24 September.

The competition, sponsored by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Eurovisioni and Articolo 21 in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and numerous cultural associations, was launched at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year. Over 50 schools across Italy took part.

A jury composed of prominent personalities from the worlds of culture, cinema and the media selected 2 winning schools in two categories –high school Liceo Classico Dante Alighieri of Rome and primary school Istituto Comprensivo San Francesco di Palmi from Calabria.

Liceo Classico Dante Alighieri

RAI promotes informed citizenship, good judgement and critical conscience. It bases its scheduling on the values set out in its constitutional charter, in the knowledge that there is no freedom without pluralism, there is no democracy without an awareness of reality, of the procedures and of the decision-making mechanisms of the public corporations and private companies.

It stands out from commercial media by its creativity, intelligence and good taste and, in its entertainment and information, it targets active citizens rather than passive consumers. RAI is a public corporation that is independent of the political parties and the government. As editorial independence goes hand in hand with financial independence, RAI is funded with guaranteed public resources. Advertising only serves to improve the quality of its programmes.

As an intermediary corporation RAI tackles future challenges by correctly using technological innovations and digital platforms.

Istituto Comprensivo San Francesco

RAI: We are now starting to listen to children and entertain them

We, the children of the San Francesco school in Palmi, are asking RAI to change something. We would like a channel just for us children, from the biggest to the smallest! With music and interesting programmes and also motivating documentaries, imaginative programmes and films that aren't too frightening! We would like to have our own news bulletin, a view that helps us understand current events completely without too much drama and pain but with a touch of sensitivity and lots of love.

To view the winning entries in Italian, click here.

Following the ceremony, delegations of 10 finalist schools and other advocate associations, including the EBU, were received at the Italian Senate by the President of the Senate, and then visited the Quirinale, residence of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, who greeted them along with RAI’s Board and new Director General, Monica Maggioni.

Foto Mattarella con Maggioni e Campo Dall'Orto.jpg

In view of the renewal of the public service concession in 2016, this new “identity card” clearly defines the values that inspire RAI’s programming. It demonstrates the constitutional value of public service media and its missions to define the character of RAI’s future, thorough the active involvement of citizens, students, cultural associations, trade unions and institutions.

On 16 September EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre addressed RAI’s commission at a special hearing dedicated to the future of public service media. In her speech, Ms Deltenre explained the importance of public service media and why, in an age of technological advances, we must advocate for it more than ever. The Commission will deliver a final summary of the received recommendations to the Government by 2016. To view the presentation in Italian, click here.

Relevant Links

Identity Card for RAI – National Competition website (In Italian)

Identity Card finalist (In Italian)

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