Italy’s state broadcaster, RAI, issued an apology to the Jewish community Saturday following an on-air incident in which instructions were given to avoid broadcasting footage of the Israeli bobsleigh team during coverage of the Winter Olympics in Milan.
The remark, overheard by viewers, instructed producers to “avoid crew number 21, which is the Israeli one,” before the audio was abruptly cut. The incident occurred during coverage of the Four-Man bobsleigh event, according to Italian news agency Reuters.
RAI CEO Giampaolo Rossi described the incident as a “serious” breach of the public broadcaster’s principles of impartiality, respect, and inclusion. He announced the launch of an internal inquiry to determine responsibility and potential disciplinary action.
The RAI board of directors echoed Rossi’s condemnation, issuing a separate statement labeling the remark “unacceptable” and offering an apology to the Jewish community, the athletes involved, and viewers who were offended.
The incident follows a recent controversy involving Paolo Petrecca, head of RAI’s sports division, who resigned earlier in the week after errors during the Milano Cortina 2026 opening ceremony sparked criticism from RAI journalists. According to Usigrai, the union representing RAI journalists, Petrecca’s commentary “dealt a serious blow” to the company’s credibility.
Petrecca’s missteps included misidentifying venues and public figures, as well as making contentious comments about national teams. The latest incident adds to the scrutiny of RAI’s editorial standards and internal controls.
RAI, Italy’s largest media organization, operates national television, radio, and digital news services. The internal inquiry is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the on-air remark and assess whether it reflects systemic issues within the organization.