Bruno Vespa
Encyclopedia
Bruno Vespa is an Italian
television and newspaper journalist.
A former director of Italian state-owned TV channel Rai Uno
's news program
TG1
, he is the founding host of the program Porta a Porta
("Door to door"), which has been broadcast without interruption on RAI
channels since 1996.
Vespa was born in L'Aquila
, Abruzzo
. He is married to judge Augusta Iannini.
press quite young, authoring sports articles for the L'Aquila branch of the newspaper Il Tempo when he was sixteen years old.
In 1962 he became a radio announcer on RAI broadcasts and, after obtaining his LL.B. in 1968, began hosting the daily newscast Telegiornale RAI (afterwards renamed TG1).
During the 1970s and 1980s, he undertook several controversial and ground-breaking projects, mainly as a foreign correspondent for RAI, interviewing many soon-to-be-influential personalities of the decades (for example, Vespa interviewed then-Cardinal
Karol Wojtyła
in 1977, a full year before his election to the pontificate).
In 1977 he co-hosted, with Arrigo Petacco, the news program Tam Tam, moving the following year to a different format, precursor to that of Porta a Porta
, where up-and-coming personalities and current events were discussed in front of a live studio audience, which participated to the exchange through Q&A sessions (hence, the program was called Ping Pong).
In June 1984 he was named "official commentator" for the live, televised broadcast of the State funeral
for Enrico Berlinguer
, who had been the leader of the Italian Communist Party
. During the broadcast, he erroneously announced that Pietro Valpreda had been found guilty of the Piazza Fontana bombing
, whereas he was a mere suspect, at the time—a mistake for which he publicly apologised on several occasions.
Between 1989 and 1992, while he was the head newscaster for the RAI news program TG1, he came under attack for publicly declaring that he considered the ruling party Democrazia Cristiana
his "editorial sounding board"; because RAI stations are state-owned and publicly funded, they are expected to be unbiased, which Vespa's words indicated not to be the case.
In August 1990, when the Gulf War
erupted, he supported the armed intervention in a much-criticised editorial that concluded that "War has been brought forth by the international community. And if we want to be members of that club, we must pay our dues", which some found too close to the words that Benito Mussolini
had employed to justify Italy's participation to World War II
: "I will need a thousand deaths to seat at the table where peace and land will be distributed".
Since 1996, Vespa as been at the helm of the news program Porta a Porta, where much of the Italian political debate takes place, so much so that it is sometimes sarcastically referred to as "the third house" (together with the Chamber of Deputies
and the Senate
) of the Parliament of Italy
.
On April 3, 2006 he moderated the second televised debate between then-Prime Minister of Italy
Silvio Berlusconi
and the leader of the centre-left coalition Romano Prodi
.
In the same year, Vespa found himself at the centre of a political scandal after a telephone conversation he had with Salvatore Sottile, spokesperson for politician Gianfranco Fini
, concerning an upcoming episode of Porta a Porta. During the (intercepted) conversation, Vespa indicated that he would "custom-tailor" the program to suit Fini's needs, requesting, in fact, that the politician's aide select the chosen adversary for the scheduled face-to-face.
Since the program publicly prided itself on creating an unbiased turf for political confrontations, Vespa's integrity was called into question.
Vespa is currently credited of having a position of strong allegiance towards Silvio Berlusconi.
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
television and newspaper journalist.
A former director of Italian state-owned TV channel Rai Uno
Rai Uno
Rai 1 is the primary television station of RAI, the national public service broadcaster, and the most watched television channel in Italy. It was born as Rai Tv from 1954 to 1961, called Programma Nazionale from 1961 to 1979, after called Rete 1 from 1979 to 1982, then called Rai Uno from 1982 to...
's news program
News program
A news program, news programme, news show, or newscast is a regularly scheduled radio or television program that reports current events. News is typically reported in a series of individual stories that are presented by one or more anchors...
TG1
TG1
TG1 is the brand for Italian state-owned TV channel Rai 1's news programmes. They are shown domestically on Rai Uno and across the Europe on Rai News 24 and the world on Raitalia several times throughout the day...
, he is the founding host of the program Porta a Porta
Porta a Porta
Porta a Porta is an Italian late night television talk show hosted by the Italian journalist Bruno Vespa and is broadcast on Rai Uno since 1996 and is re-broadcast on Raisat Extra....
("Door to door"), which has been broadcast without interruption on RAI
RAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
channels since 1996.
Vespa was born in L'Aquila
L'Aquila
L'Aquila is a city and comune in central Italy, both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. , it has a population of 73,150 inhabitants, but has a daily presence in the territory of 100,000 people for study, tertiary activities, jobs and tourism...
, Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
. He is married to judge Augusta Iannini.
Journalism
Vespa began working with the local abruzzeseAbruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
press quite young, authoring sports articles for the L'Aquila branch of the newspaper Il Tempo when he was sixteen years old.
In 1962 he became a radio announcer on RAI broadcasts and, after obtaining his LL.B. in 1968, began hosting the daily newscast Telegiornale RAI (afterwards renamed TG1).
During the 1970s and 1980s, he undertook several controversial and ground-breaking projects, mainly as a foreign correspondent for RAI, interviewing many soon-to-be-influential personalities of the decades (for example, Vespa interviewed then-Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Karol Wojtyła
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
in 1977, a full year before his election to the pontificate).
In 1977 he co-hosted, with Arrigo Petacco, the news program Tam Tam, moving the following year to a different format, precursor to that of Porta a Porta
Porta a Porta
Porta a Porta is an Italian late night television talk show hosted by the Italian journalist Bruno Vespa and is broadcast on Rai Uno since 1996 and is re-broadcast on Raisat Extra....
, where up-and-coming personalities and current events were discussed in front of a live studio audience, which participated to the exchange through Q&A sessions (hence, the program was called Ping Pong).
In June 1984 he was named "official commentator" for the live, televised broadcast of the State funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
for Enrico Berlinguer
Enrico Berlinguer
Enrico Berlinguer was an Italian politician; he was national secretary of the Italian Communist Party from 1972 until his death.-Early career:...
, who had been the leader of the Italian Communist Party
Italian Communist Party
The Italian Communist Party was a communist political party in Italy.The PCI was founded as Communist Party of Italy on 21 January 1921 in Livorno, by seceding from the Italian Socialist Party . Amadeo Bordiga and Antonio Gramsci led the split. Outlawed during the Fascist regime, the party played...
. During the broadcast, he erroneously announced that Pietro Valpreda had been found guilty of the Piazza Fontana bombing
Piazza Fontana bombing
The Piazza Fontana Bombing was a terrorist attack that occurred on December 12, 1969 at 16:37, when a bomb exploded at the headquarters of Banca Nazionale dell'Agricoltura in Piazza Fontana in Milan, Italy, killing 17 people and wounding 88...
, whereas he was a mere suspect, at the time—a mistake for which he publicly apologised on several occasions.
Between 1989 and 1992, while he was the head newscaster for the RAI news program TG1, he came under attack for publicly declaring that he considered the ruling party Democrazia Cristiana
Christian Democracy (Italy)
Christian Democracy was a Christian democratic party in Italy. It was founded in 1943 as the ideological successor of the historical Italian People's Party, which had the same symbol, a crossed shield ....
his "editorial sounding board"; because RAI stations are state-owned and publicly funded, they are expected to be unbiased, which Vespa's words indicated not to be the case.
In August 1990, when the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
erupted, he supported the armed intervention in a much-criticised editorial that concluded that "War has been brought forth by the international community. And if we want to be members of that club, we must pay our dues", which some found too close to the words that Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
had employed to justify Italy's participation to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
: "I will need a thousand deaths to seat at the table where peace and land will be distributed".
Since 1996, Vespa as been at the helm of the news program Porta a Porta, where much of the Italian political debate takes place, so much so that it is sometimes sarcastically referred to as "the third house" (together with the Chamber of Deputies
Italian Chamber of Deputies
The Italian Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the Parliament of Italy. It has 630 seats, a plurality of which is controlled presently by liberal-conservative party People of Freedom. Twelve deputies represent Italian citizens outside of Italy. Deputies meet in the Palazzo Montecitorio. A...
and the Senate
Italian Senate
The Senate of the Republic is the upper house of the Italian Parliament. It was established in its current form on 8 May 1948, but previously existed during the Kingdom of Italy as Senato del Regno , itself a continuation of the Senato Subalpino of Sardinia-Piedmont established on 8 May 1848...
) of the Parliament of Italy
Parliament of Italy
The Parliament of Italy is the national parliament of Italy. It is a bicameral legislature with 945 elected members . The Chamber of Deputies, with 630 members is the lower house. The Senate of the Republic is the upper house and has 315 members .Since 2005, a party list electoral law is being...
.
On April 3, 2006 he moderated the second televised debate between then-Prime Minister of Italy
Prime minister of Italy
The Prime Minister of Italy is the head of government of the Italian Republic...
Silvio Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi , also known as Il Cavaliere – from knighthood to the Order of Merit for Labour which he received in 1977 – is an Italian politician and businessman who served three terms as Prime Minister of Italy, from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011. Berlusconi is also the...
and the leader of the centre-left coalition Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi is an Italian politician and statesman. He served as the Prime Minister of Italy, from 17 May 1996 to 21 October 1998 and from 17 May 2006 to 8 May 2008...
.
In the same year, Vespa found himself at the centre of a political scandal after a telephone conversation he had with Salvatore Sottile, spokesperson for politician Gianfranco Fini
Gianfranco Fini
Gianfranco Fini is an Italian politician, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, leader of the center-right Future and Freedom party, and the former leader of the conservative National Alliance and the post-fascist Italian Social Movement...
, concerning an upcoming episode of Porta a Porta. During the (intercepted) conversation, Vespa indicated that he would "custom-tailor" the program to suit Fini's needs, requesting, in fact, that the politician's aide select the chosen adversary for the scheduled face-to-face.
Since the program publicly prided itself on creating an unbiased turf for political confrontations, Vespa's integrity was called into question.
Vespa is currently credited of having a position of strong allegiance towards Silvio Berlusconi.
Awards
- 1978 - Premio Saint Vincent for television, awarded by President Sandro Pertini
- 1990 - European personality of the year for the category journalism
- 1992 - Premio La Madonnina for journalism
- 1995 - Premio Guidarello for journalism
- 1997 - TelegattoTelegattoTelegatto is an Italian television award first given out in 1971 following the contest "Gran Premio internazionale dello Spettacolo", sponsored by the weekly magazine TV Sorrisi e Canzoni and aired on Canale 5...
for career achievements - 1999 - Ischia International Journalism AwardIschia International Journalism AwardThe Ischia International Journalism Award is one of the most important Italian journalism awards. It is organized under the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic, the Regione Campania, the Province of Naples, the National Federation of the Italian Press and the Order of...
, for TV journalism - 1999 - Telegatto for best culture show
- 2000 - Premio Saint Vincent for television, awarded by President Carlo Azeglio CiampiCarlo Azeglio Ciampidr. Carlo Azeglio Ciampi is an Italian politician and banker. He was the 73rd Prime Minister of Italy from 1993 to 1994 and was the tenth President of the Italian Republic from 1999 to 2006...
- 2002 - Telegatto for best talk show
- 2004 - Premio BancarellaPremio BancarellaThe Premio Bancarella is an Italian literary prize established in 1953; it is given in Pontremoli every year, the last Saturday or the last Sunday in July....
- 2006 - Telegatto (platinum)
- 2008 - Big Brother AwardsWinston Smith ProjectThe Winston Smith Project is an informational and operational project for the defence of human rights on the Internet and in the digital era. It was started in 1999 as an anonymous association and it is characterised by the absence of a physical reference identity.It is named after the main...
- 2008 - Premio Regia Televisiva
Published works
All Vespa's books were published by Arnoldo Mondadori EditoreArnoldo Mondadori Editore
Arnoldo Mondadori Editore is the biggest publishing company in Italy.-History:Founded by the 18-year-old Arnoldo Mondadori in 1907 to publish the magazine titled Luce!, it soon became an important publisher. Its headquarters are in Milan....
.
- Uno stadio per Tommaso Fattori (1966)
- Abruzzo aperto (1974)
- A sessant'anni dalla rivoluzione d'ottobre. Speciale TG1 (1977)
- ...E anche Leone votò Pertini. Cronaca di un settennato incompiuto, di una crisi e di una elezione presidenziale (1978)
- Flash 79 (1980)
- Visita di sua santità Giovanni Paolo II al traforo del Gran Sasso (1980)
- Intervista sul socialismo in Europa (1980)
- Flash 1980 (1981)
- Italia/Libano. Storia di una spedizione di pace attraverso le testimonianze di corrispondenti giornalistici (1983)
- Ping pong (1983)
- Marsica 1915 (1984)
- Abruzzo Abruzzi (1986)
- Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Da un secolo all'altro (1988)
- Paesi del Gran Sasso (1989)
- Veneto. La rinascita (1989)
- Telecamera con vista. Da Valpreda a Di Pietro, 25 anni di storia italiana nei retroscena del Telegiornale (1993)
- Il cambio. Uomini e retroscena della nuova repubblica (1994, 1996)
- Il duello. Chi vincerà nello scontro finale (1995)
- Il duello. Storia dello scontro finale (1996)
- La svolta. Il pendolo del potere da destra a sinistra (1996)
- Il Papa eremita. Celestino V e la perdonanza all'Aquila (1996)
- La sfida. Dal patto alla crisi e oltre (1997)
- La corsa. Dopo D'Alema a palazzo Chigi chi salirà al Quirinale? (1998)
- La corsa. La lunga strada del presidente Ciampi (1999)
- Dieci anni che hanno sconvolto l'Italia. 1989-2000 (1999)
- Il superpresidente. Che cosa cambia in Italia con Ciampi al Quirinale (1999)
- Scontro finale. Chi vincerà l'ultimo duello (2000)
- Scontro finale. Ultimo atto (2001)
- Scontro finale. Chi vincera l'ultimo duello (2001)
- Verdi e l'Arena (2001)
- La scossa. Il cambiamento italiano nel mondo che trema (2001)
- L'opera, il mito. 80 anni di spettacoli all'Arena di Verona (2002)
- Rai, la grande guerra. 1962-2002. Quarant'anni di battaglie a Viale Mazzini (2002)
- La Grande Muraglia. L'Italia di Berlusconi, l'Italia dei girotondi (2002)
- Il Cavaliere e il Professore. La scommessa di Berlusconi, il ritorno di Prodi (2003)
- Cinquant'anni. Il miracolo del Friuli. 1953-2003 premio del lavoro e del progresso economico (2003)
- Storia d'Italia da Mussolini a Berlusconi. 1943: l'arresto del duce, 2005: la sfida di Prodi (2004)
- Vincitori e vinti. Le stagioni dell'odio. Dalle leggi razziali a Prodi e Berlusconi (2005)
- La sfida cinese (2005)
- L'Italia spezzata. Un paese a metà tra Prodi e Berlusconi (2006)
- L'amore e il potere. Da Rachele a Veronica, un secolo di storia italiana (2007)
- Viaggio in un'Italia diversa (2008)