ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Fedez at Primo Maggio concert sparks Rai censorship debate

opinion-review · 2026-04-27

Massimiliano Tonelli, writing for Artribune, criticizes the Italian public broadcaster Rai for allegedly censoring rapper Fedez during his appearance at the Primo Maggio concert in 2021. Tonelli argues that Rai, as Italy's largest cultural company, should not engage in preventive censorship. He calls for reform of Rai's governance, using the Fedez incident as a catalyst. The article highlights the tension between artistic expression and institutional control in Italian media.

Key facts

  • Fedez performed at the Primo Maggio concert in 2021.
  • Rai is accused of preventive censorship against Fedez.
  • Massimiliano Tonelli wrote the article on Artribune.
  • Tonelli calls for reform of Rai.
  • Rai is described as Italy's largest cultural company.
  • The incident involves a public broadcaster and a rapper.
  • The article was published on Artribune.
  • The concert is an annual Labor Day event in Italy.

Entities

Artists

  • Fedez

Institutions

  • Rai
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Italy

Sources