Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 2 hrs ago
Enrico Mentana says he will leave La7’s news operation on December 23
Enrico Mentana says he will leave La7’s news operation on December 23.
He made the announcement in Alessandria, Italy, during an event where he received an award for journalism.
Mentana has worked with La7 owner Urbano Cairo since 2010, and his contract ends on December 31.
He has criticised La7’s coverage as too progressive, saying its programmes share a similar political outlook.
Cairo has said a renewal would require both sides to want it.
Mentana has not said what he will do next, though he has spoken with Rai executives and has not ruled out returning to Mediaset; no new deal has been announced.
Enrico Mentana said he will leave the direction of La7’s news programme on December 23.
He made the announcement in Alessandria during an event linked to the Franco Marchiaro Award.
His contract is due to expire on December 31, 2026.
Mentana and La7 owner Urbano Cairo have been at odds over the broadcaster’s editorial direction.
Mentana has not said what he plans to do after leaving.
- Who
- Enrico Mentana, director of La7’s news programme.
- What
- He announced that he will leave the role on December 23.
- When
- He announced it at an event reported on October 24, 2026. He said he will leave on December 23.
- Where
- In Alessandria, Italy, at an event held at the university’s main lecture hall.
- Why
- The sources describe growing differences with La7 owner Urbano Cairo over the broadcaster’s editorial direction. Mentana did not state a reason for his departure in the announcement.
Enrico Mentana
Urbano Cairo
Editorial direction
Enrico Mentana
Mentana has criticised La7’s programmes as too aligned with progressive views and said a centre-right voter could not feel at home watching them.
Urbano Cairo
Cairo said he does not tell Mentana how to run the news programme, just as he does not direct other presenters’ shows.
Contract renewal
Enrico Mentana
Mentana said he would leave on December 23, before his contract expires on December 31, 2026.
Urbano Cairo
Cairo said renewal depended on both sides wanting to continue working together.
Mentana called La7 the new Rai3 and said it was the television channel against Meloni.
Cairo said Mentana’s contract expired on December 31 and that renewal depended on both sides wanting it.
Mentana made his position more explicit and raised the possibility of doing something else.
Mentana announced in Alessandria that he would leave La7’s news operation on December 23.
Mentana said he would leave the direction of La7’s news programme.
- Departure date
- December 23
- Contract expiry
- December 31, 2026
- Tenure with Cairo
- 16 years, dating from 2010
- Announcement location
- Alessandria, Italy
- Award event
- 12th Franco Marchiaro Award ceremony
3 sources
What people are saying
On December 23 I will leave the direction of La7’s news programme.
A centre-right voter cannot watch La7’s programmes and feel at home.
I do not tell him how to run the news programme, just as I do not tell Gruber or Floris or Cazzullo or Formigli how to run their programmes or whom to invite.