In his first interview since president of the Italian Publishers Association, Innocenzo Cipolletta asks politicians for funding for publishing. An opening to dialogue with the government whose stakes are new law of the book. With one caveat: trust is tied to results. Without it, it breaks. The start is complicated: several million are missing from the publishing table.
Innocenzo Cipolletta is the new president of the IEA: “The great challenge is artificial intelligence”
by Raffaella De Santis
The book market held up in 2023, however the current government cut contributions to booksellers and librarians.
«The stability of the market is a positive thing, but we must look in perspective. In 2024 we will not be able to count on a number of resources. For example, the 30 million allocated to libraries for the purchase of books in local bookstores is no longer available. The transitional provision, wanted by Minister Franceschini during Covid, was not renewed once it expired.”
Even the new culture charters for young people are actually poorer.
«In total they have to settle for 40 million less than the old one 18App. Calculating that 70 percent of the 18App was used by young people to purchase books, another 28 million euros are potentially lost, which added to the 30 we were talking about make 58: overall around 4 percent of the market.”
Does the fact that loans to 18-year-olds are given based on family income and merit convince you?
«As Aie we are more in favor of a principle of universality, on the model of the 18App. All young people, regardless of family conditions and school results, should be able to count on that money, it would help them develop their own cultural autonomy. Having said that, we will do everything we can to make the Culture Charter a success. 2024 will be a year full of challenges for publishing: the lack of measures to support demand, the growth of production costs, the challenge of artificial intelligence are weighing on publishers’ budgets. This is why we need an organic law for the sector, with industrial policy objectives, and which takes into account in a market which is half made up of small and medium-sized publishers – an essential voice for guaranteeing cultural pluralism – which requires particular attention precisely to They”.
Minister Sangiuliano announced it, are you talking to the government?
«As I was telling you, we believe in an industrial, as well as cultural, approach that has innovation as its cornerstone. Investments and a system vision are therefore needed. The minister welcomed this idea of ours, which he promoted, with interest. I believe we can collaborate with the government in a positive way.”
It’s the same government that took away your resources, are you hoping for repentance?
“We are trying to push in this direction.”
When you talk about innovation, what are you referring to?
«We need to combine the legitimate defense of copyright with the potential that artificial intelligence can give to books, improving distribution and helping promotion. It is necessary to work on the complete cycle of the supply chain, from paper to reader. The new book law should also address, through a tax credit, the rise in the price of paper.”
Where are you at, when will the law arrive?
«We are confident in the course of the year».
Frankfurt, few ideas and many clichés. It’s Italy at the Fair
by our correspondent Raffaella De Santis
Next October Italy will be guest of honor at the Frankfurt Publishing Fair. How are you working on this front?
«The Buchmesse is a great opportunity to promote Italian culture and I believe there are all the conditions to seize it. Of course, we would need more translation support.”
Money is limited, the Book Center manages around 4 million euros.
“It should be financed more.”
Marino Sinibaldi: “And now the right also occupies the books”
by Raffaella De Santis
What do you think of the replacement of Marino Sinibaldi as president of Cepell?
«We have great respect for Sinibaldi, so his exit is saddening. After which I recognize the government’s right to appoint managers, given that Sinibaldi’s position had expired. I don’t think there was any forcing. I got to meet the successor, Adriano Monti Buzzetti Colellaand it made a good impression on me.”
The question is whether he has the skills.
“The problem is resources, rather than people.”
Don’t you think people make a difference?
«In some cases yes, but it is the plurality of ideas that guarantees dialogue. This is why we need to encourage reading, the latest data still shows us behind other European countries but the situation is not catastrophic. The gap between South and North is worrying. An imbalance that must be corrected: I have entrusted a delegation to the publisher Florindo Rubbettino precisely for the promotion of reading in the South”.
Interview with the economist
Cipolletta “A gap destined to widen. Finance rewarded”
Eugenio Occorsio
While the recent reform on differentiated autonomy risks worsening inequalities.
«I am against this reform, not only because it will increase the divergences between North and South but also because overall it will make the whole of Italy less efficient. In concrete terms, the Minister of the Economy will no longer have the possibility of managing a budget policy but will only be able to limit himself to distributing money to the Regions”.
Tell us something about the program for the Buchmesse.
«There will be around a hundred events and as many Italian authors but I can’t anticipate anything because we are still in the definition phase with Commissioner Mazza, with whom we are working very well. We will have a press conference in May.”
Do we want to at least remember the title?
«The future of roots…No, sorry, Roots in the future».
Not a bad slip of the tongue.
«(Ride) We will arrive prepared and make a good impression.”
To what extent will you dialogue with the institutions?
“We will judge the government based on the results.”
What if they don’t arrive?
«We will seek dialogue in every way. If necessary, we will fight.”
#Innocenzo #Cipolletta #incentives #read
– 2024-04-12 10:57:53
