Investigative documentary / current affairs magazine
Length
90–120 min
Timeslot
Lunedì (Monday) 21h20, Prime Time, Rai 3
Exposé length
4–6 pages
Editorial tone
Investigative, committed, unflinching. Riccardo Iacona guides through complex topics with authority and empathy. Presa Diretta combines investigative research with affected-person perspective. Tone is analytical but never detached — Iacona asks the uncomfortable questions. No neutrality for neutrality's sake: the format clearly positions itself on the side of public interest. Social criticism with depth that makes connections visible. Italian reality in European context.
What this format covers
●Corruption and abuse of power in politics and business
●Environmental scandals: illegal waste disposal, industrial toxins, Terra dei Fuochi
●Healthcare system: hospital scandals, pharmaceutical safety, care deficiencies
●Climate change and environmental policy in Italy and Europe
●Education, youth unemployment, brain drain from Southern Italy
What this format does NOT want
●Cultural portraits or artist documentaries
●Travel or lifestyle formats
●Historical retrospectives without present-day connection
●Topics without investigative core or exposé potential
●Purely scientific formats without social dimension
●Local topics without national or European relevance
Visual expectations
Journalistic aesthetic with documentary depth. Riccardo Iacona on location — the presenter is part of the story. Confrontational interviews, on-site investigation, documents on screen. Drone footage for environmental topics. Affected people in their everyday lives. Graphics and data visualization for context. Editing is dynamic but not hectic. Reference: quality journalism in the Rai 3 style — political, visually clear, content-dense.
Expected exposé structure
Titolo e sottotitolo (title and subtitle)
Sinossi (synopsis: what is being investigated, what is the thesis?)
Stato dell'inchiesta (state of investigation, evidence already obtained)
Fonti e testimoni (sources, whistleblowers, experts)
Nota di regia (director's concept, cinematic approach)
Elementi visivi (visual concept: locations, confrontations, graphics)
Rilevanza europea (European relevance of the topic)
Casa di produzione, regista, CV (production company, director, CV)
Example productions
Presa Diretta: Terra dei Fuochi — Il prezzo della salute (2014)
Presa Diretta: ILVA — La fabbrica della paura (2016)
Presa Diretta: Pesticidi — Veleni a tavola (2019)
Presa Diretta: La scuola che non c'è (2020)
Presa Diretta: Morire di lavoro (2021)
Presa Diretta: Clima — L'Italia che cambia (2022)
European perspective required
Editorial notes
Presa Diretta has run since 2009 on Rai 3, moderated and led by Riccardo Iacona. The format is an auteur format — Iacona's journalistic vision shapes every edition. External contributions must adapt to this style. Rai 3 is RAI's cultural and socially critical channel — the audience expects depth and clear position. Co-productions with European partners are possible, especially for topics with cross-border relevance (environment, migration, economic crime). The Italian market partially finances documentaries through the Ministero della Cultura and regional film funds.
Ready to pitch to RAI?
The Pitch Doctor generates a format-compliant exposé tailored to RAI Presa Diretta's exact editorial expectations.