The hashtag #maratonamentana – the Mentana marathon – what the Italian news anchor on a La7 (channel 7) Enrico Mentana chose to cover the latest Italian political crises exemplifies a singularly heroic approach to something that should really be behind the headlines.
The Italian TV channel La7 has some great programming and a clear independent identity when compared to state run RAI and the Mediaset empire
What I find unusual is when Mr Mentana, who anchors the 8pm show, begins with his own interpretation of what the day’s news is before delivering the actual headlines.
This clouds the role of journalist/anchor with that of a columnist or special guest. I want the former to be objective and give me the facts and the latter to give me a credible interpretation.
Step back, let the news be the story Enrico
So instead of trumpeting the fact that he is running a “live” studio marathon I would prefer him to step back, let the news be the story and credit his audience with the intelligence to work out the meaning of what is going on in the world.