State broadcaster Rai said Thursday
that it was not continuing with the contract of an expert who is
critical of the policy of supplying arms to Ukraine after the
Russian invasion.
Professor Alessandro Orsini, a lecturer on the sociology of
international terrorism at the private Luiss University in Rome,
has said supplying arms to Kyiv risks drawing out the war,
causing more deaths, and fuelling an escalation that could lead
to the use of weapons of mass destruction.
A furore broke out after it was reported that Orsini has a
contract to make six appearances on the "Cartabianca" show on
the Rai 3 channel for a fee of around 2,000 euros per
appearance.
Andrea Romano of the Democratic Party (PD) had said it was
unacceptable to use public money to finance "Putin propaganda
windbags".
However, several figures expressed reservations about Orsini's
contract being terminated because of his opinions.
Cartabianca presenter Bianca Berlinguer said she opposed the
decision, as it limited her ability to choose her guests and
provide debate with a variety of opinions.
Orsini, meanwhile, said via Facebook that he was now willing to
appear on the show for free.
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