Rai chair chides Vespa on all-male abortion show (5)

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 19 - Rai Chairman Marinella Soldi on Friday chided veteran talk show host Bruno Vespa over Thursday night's episode of his flagship Porta a Porta show which only features male pundits on the current abortion debate in Italy after a government move to let pro-life activists into clinics to illustrate alternatives to women wanting to end their pregnancies.
    Soldi wrote to Vespa, one of the network's stars, and "recalled the fundamental role of the public service in particular on such a sensitive issue and one which directly bears on women's bodies," Rai sources said.
    Rai had said earlier that all the female commentators contacted to appear on the show had been unavailable.
    Vespa replied to Soldi: "Someone (like me) who entrusted the anchor of the 13:30 news show to three women can'0t be insensitive to female presences.
    "Above and beyond the specific circumstance that I think I have amply clarified, I recalled that Porta a Porta's reputation (depends on) hosting very representative politicians.
    "Well, there are only five women (PD and M5S) out of 18 presidents, vice presidents and caucus leaders of the top five parties.
    "In any case we'll do everything possible to ensure for women the roles that they deserve". (ANSA).