Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
Qn launches amid journalists’ complaints over pay and working conditions
Qn’s new edition launched in Italy after Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio’s company acquired an 80% stake in its publisher.
The journalists’ representatives say staff have not received better pay or recognition despite working to prepare the relaunch.
They report unpaid overtime, low rates for freelance work and salaries that have been unchanged for more than 10 years.
About 50 of roughly 260 employed journalists remain in precarious jobs, according to the representatives.
Technical failures and unresolved issues with shifts, staffing and training added to the workload during the launch.
The representatives are calling on the owners to improve conditions and make good on promises to value staff.
Qn’s new edition launched in print and online on 5 November, as journalists complained about pay and working conditions.
The journalists’ representatives said salaries had been frozen for more than ten years, overtime was unpaid and contributors received only a few euros per article.
They said about 50 of roughly 260 staff journalists remained in precarious employment.
The representatives said staffing shortages and unresolved work arrangements added pressure during the launch.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio’s investment company had acquired an 80% stake in Editoriale Nazionale, whose titles include Qn, Il Resto del Carlino, La Nazione and Il Giorno.
- Who
- Journalists’ representatives at the Editoriale Nazionale titles, and the company’s new ownership.
- What
- Qn launched a new edition while journalists’ representatives raised complaints about pay, staffing and working conditions.
- When
- 5 November 2026.
- Where
- Qn and other Editoriale Nazionale titles in Italy.
- Why
- The representatives said the launch work had not been matched by recognition from the ownership, including pay improvements.
Journalists’ representatives
Editoriale Nazionale’s new ownership
Recognition for work
Journalists’ representatives
The representatives said journalists had worked to relaunch the titles without receiving concrete recognition.
Editoriale Nazionale’s new ownership
In May, Del Vecchio identified investment in innovation, valuing people and strengthening editorial quality as goals of the acquisition.
Pay and conditions
Journalists’ representatives
The representatives said salaries remained frozen, overtime went unpaid and contributors received low rates.
Editoriale Nazionale’s new ownership
The article reports no response from the ownership to these complaints.
The transfer of an 80% stake in Editoriale Nazionale to LMDV Media was completed.
The editorial system repeatedly malfunctioned at central offices and regional newsrooms, according to the article.
The new Qn edition debuted in print as journalists’ representatives publicised their complaints.
- Stake acquired
- 80% of Editoriale Nazionale
- New owner
- LMDV Capital, led by Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio
- Staff journalists
- About 260 on employment contracts
- Precarious staff
- About 50
- Launch date
- 5 November 2026
What people are saying
The new ownership has granted no economic adjustment to the newsroom, and salaries continue to be frozen at levels from more than ten years ago
We ask for concrete recognition of our work at last and for resources not to be directed only to a few senior figures and so-called prestigious bylines
The new titles are in print and online thanks to the newsroom’s voluntary work and commitment, after years of sacrifices and cuts