The government's media department
confirmed Tuesday that contracts for news agency services
starting in the second half of 2017 will be stipulated via two
open tenders, one for the civil service and the other for the
foreign ministry and diplomatic network, and resources would
remain the same as 2016. "The competition will be divided into
lots, the department said, so as to guarantee both the principle
of pluralism of information and access for small and
medium-sized firms." It added that anti-corruption body ANAC
would oversee procedures. Luca Lotti, the sports minister with
the media portfolio, said the government's priority was
safeguarding jobs, "as it has been in the past few years".
Italy's news agencies, including ANSA, struck for three hours on
Tuesday against the government's decision to put the services
out to competitive tender from any provider in the EU.
photo: Lotti
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