Lorenza Fruci's 'Donne in onda' Examines Women's Representation in 70 Years of Rai TV

Journalist and former Rome assessor Lorenza Fruci has published 'Donne in onda' (Rai libri), analyzing how Italian public broadcaster Rai has portrayed women over seven decades. The book traces the evolution—and occasional regression—of female imagery on television, linking programming to key legislative milestones for women's rights. Fruci highlights landmark moments: the 1959 inquiry 'La donna che lavora' on working women; 1970s programs like 'Si dice donna' run by feminists; and the 1979 broadcast 'Processo per stupro', which exposed how rape victims were blamed in court. She argues that TV both reflects and drives social change, though today's entertainment lags—citing Sanremo's male-dominated artistic direction. The book draws on official documents, Radiocorriere tv archives, and period testimonies, deliberately letting facts speak. Fruci calls for continued use of Rai's archival heritage to educate younger generations.