The story about a possible Italian return to the Eurovision Song Contest sees a new chapter.
During Spring 2005, RAI will undergo a partial privatisation. RAI is currently searching for a bank to aid them in bringing the company to the stockmarket. 20 percent of RAI will be sold to external shareholders informs the Italian Secretary of Communication.
Critics, however, fear that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's media group will become even more powerful. If RAI is then further privatised, the broadcaster might even become a commercial broadcaster. Some agree that commercial strategies do not encourage joining the Eurovision Song Contest, others again think that a semi-privatisation might be what will take RAI back to the contest � especially if it appears that the shareholders support it. Anyway, time will tell…
