Enrico Mentana's Departure from La7 and Future Career Speculations
The veteran journalist prepares to leave La7 while rumors circulate regarding his next professional move.
1Final Broadcast Date Confirmed
Enrico Mentana officially announced that December 23 will mark his final day as the director and anchor of the La7 news program. After sixteen years at the helm of the network owned by Urbano Cairo, the journalist confirmed his departure during the Franco Marchiaro journalism award ceremony held in Alessandria recently.
2Rejecting a Mediaset Return
Mentana has explicitly ruled out a return to Mediaset, despite public interest from Pier Silvio Berlusconi. The journalist emphasized that his career trajectory moves forward rather than backward, referencing his 2009 resignation from the network. That exit was sparked by editorial disagreements regarding coverage of the Eluana Englaro case versus reality television.
3Rai Options Officially Dismissed
The possibility of Mentana joining Rai, specifically as director of Tg1, has been firmly rejected by the journalist himself. During an appearance on the Rai3 program Splendida Cornice, he stated that he prefers to embrace change rather than return to his former workplace, which he originally left back in 1991.
4Sky as Potential Destination
Current industry speculation points toward Sky as the most realistic destination for the veteran anchor. However, these reports remain strictly unofficial, as there are no confirmed agreements or public statements from Mentana himself. The journalist continues to maintain a distance from these rumors, focusing instead on his immediate holiday plans.
5Public Response to Speculation
Mentana recently criticized social media commentators who invent narratives about his future career moves. He dismissed these theories as products of bias, asserting that those speculating lack real-world insight into his professional decisions. He remains focused on his current responsibilities at La7 until his scheduled departure date in late December.
6Succession Planning at La7
Urbano Cairo is currently evaluating potential successors to lead the newsroom after Mentana's exit. Names circulating in media reports include Aldo Cazzullo, Massimo Giannini, and Luca Telese. While Cazzullo is considered a primary target, his existing commitments at Corriere della Sera might limit his availability for a daily editorial role.
7Alternative Leadership Models
Beyond traditional director roles, the network is considering an ecumenical approach, potentially involving Antonio Di Bella. Another possibility includes splitting duties, where a new director manages daily operations while a separate figure handles special programming like the famous election marathons. No official decisions have been finalized regarding this leadership transition.
8Impact on Italian Media
Mentana’s departure represents a significant shift in the Italian television landscape, given his influence on news broadcasting. His exit forces La7 to restructure its editorial identity while the industry watches to see if his departure leads to a new project or a period of professional hiatus for the veteran journalist.
Original article: Today.it — Enrico Mentana's Departure from La7 and Future Career Speculations