Press release from the editorial board of “La Stampa”

The announcement by Gedi of the signature of a preliminary agreement with the MSC group for the sale of 19th century confirms the total loss of credibility of the publisher who only last week, despite increasingly recurrent rumors and direct requests, had denied the existence of any negotiations to the editorial representatives, also denying actions or solicitations aimed at seeking possible buyers.

It is not the first time that what Gedi denies has materialized in the space of a few days. It is a shame, an unacceptable attitude, not respectful of the editorial staff and the relations with the Editorial Committee which should always be characterized by maximum correctness and transparency.

For the Cdr de The printwho expresses all his solidarity with his Ligurian colleagues, the sale of The 19th Century now opens up a very serious problem with respect to the early retirement and reorganization plan underway The print. Obviously this plan must now be radically revised since our presence in Liguria is guaranteed by a hub shared with a newspaper that is now being sold.

To recover our trust, at this point, the publisher will have to demonstrate with concrete actions, and additional means compared to current plans, the desire to maintain the presence of The print in its historic Ligurian provinces as was guaranteed to us in the last meeting and for this reason we request an urgent meeting with the CEO of the Gedi group Maurizio Scanavino, reserving the possibility of implementing the forms of protest we deem appropriate.

We immediately declare a state of unrest and block any extra-daily editorial initiative until correct union relations are re-established. We appreciate the desire expressed by Gedi to enhance The print as a national newspaper within Gedi’s strategies but generic promises are no longer enough for us. We need concrete facts and more transparent and timely communications. Above all, we need an industrial and editorial plan that identifies human, professional and financial resources capable of concretely implementing the “strong, innovative and dynamic digital media company project” announced today by CEO Scanavino and to keep the territorial perimeter of the newspaper intact. In short, facts, not talk.