What Radiopop’s commitment to due process teaches us about the left’s tendency to be quick to call for arrests

Radio Popolare is a long-standing pillar of Milanese journalism and part of the city’s left-wing spirit. That left wing which manages to act as an opposition, or at the very least a critical voice, even against the left that has governed Milan for fifteen years. It has certainly never been lenient towards Milan’s urban planning affairs; it has even come down hard on the very same Sala, although it has always prioritised the point of political disagreement over decisions on building expansion and urban regeneration rather than capitalising on the public prosecutor’s moves. A distinction between levels and a commitment to due process that is certainly present (at least) in certain sectors of the left, somewhat in the style of Pisapia. It is therefore no surprise to see a comment published online yesterday, stating that the “line of inquiry had seemed tenuous from the very start”; but above all, the author, Roberto Maggioni, offers an overall and critical assessment of the entire affair that is very different from certain outcries we have heard and read from various quarters: “In June 2025, those charges sent shockwaves through Milan’s urban planning sector, bringing over 200 building sites to a standstill, sending some suspects to prison, forcing the resignation of the Councillor for Urban Planning, and threatening the mayor’s position. What has happened speaks volumes about the distinction that ought to exist between judicial allegations and political struggle.”

Many of the listeners’ comments, which have appeared mainly on Facebook, say a great deal about the difference between a critical but credible left and a heavy-handed, populist drift which, unfortunately, is present in that political sphere – let’s say, not exactly reformist in the style of Beppe Sala. These range from Leninist condemnation – “anyone who’s ‘liked’ this is an enemy of the people” – to criticism of the radio station’s own editorial line – “a feignedly neutral yet political commentary by Radio Popolare in defence of an indefensible ‘left-wing administration’” – and the damning judgement on the PD, which has also been expressed by the Milanese left for three terms: “No chance: the PD, the worst cancer democracy has ever known, has infiltrated every political and legal institution with its metastases”, to resentment disguised as melancholy: “The inexorable decline of a radio station that was, once upon a time, unique. How sad.” It is widely understood – and the team at Radiopop is well aware of this – that Facebook often functions as a cesspit for the most extreme outbursts; the station’s genuine internal debate with its listeners takes place through the long-standing open-microphone format. Nevertheless, the vast gulf between a political perspective on the facts and a rancour that rejects even the evidence of the law is noteworthy. It is worth reflecting that this strand of the left will also be decisive in choosing the next mayor.