Radio 2 who does the recreation must do it quality and Belen Rodriguez, with respect, can not. I do not hear it, hello everyone: Massimo Cirri leaves Caterpillar

Massimo Cirri, the long-time host and creator of the Radio 2 program Caterpillar, has announced his departure from the show after more than three decades with the Italian public radio network. In a detailed message posted on social media, Cirri explained that he could no longer continue with the program due to what he described as a lack of quality in its current format, particularly highlighting the presence of Belén Rodríguez. He concluded his message with the words: “I don’t feel up to it anymore. I say goodbye to everyone.” The decision comes after months of tension over the future of Caterpillar. As early as June, Cirri had publicly criticized the silence from Radio 2’s management regarding the program’s fate for the upcoming season, despite repeated requests for clarification from the editorial team. At the time, the company denied any possibility of shutting down the show, insisting it would remain in the autumn schedule. The situation escalated further with the transfer of Sara Zambotti to Radio 3. Cirri expressed disagreement with this move, suggesting that Zambotti was effectively pushed out of Radio 2 following a series of conflicts with the management. This, he claimed, led him to decide against rebuilding the program's dynamics with a new team, prompting his eventual exit. In his lengthy explanation, Cirri outlined several issues surrounding the changes at Caterpillar. He noted that Zambotti, one of Italy’s top radio personalities, had been instrumental in shaping the program’s identity for many years. Describing her as someone with a broad perspective, a sense of cross-cutting themes, and the ability to synthesize complex ideas, Cirri emphasized how her unique qualities made her irreplaceable within the team. He recounted how Zambotti had taken the lead in organizing a European Union-funded project worth over €50,000 aimed at explaining the role and functions of the European Commission. The project, which she developed in collaboration with the previous Radio 2 leadership, won the tender. However, under the new management, the initiative was dismissed outright, with no interest shown in either the funding or the content. Cirri questioned whether this represented a potential misuse of public funds that might need to be addressed by the Court of Auditors. More importantly, he argued that such decisions failed to recognize and value internal talent, undermining efforts to build sustainable projects within the organization. The shift in direction at Radio 2 appears to have left Cirri disillusioned. He pointed out that while he and other colleagues had previously complained about Zambotti taking on too much responsibility, they often spent their time elsewhere rather than addressing these concerns directly. Now, with Zambotti gone and the program’s structure altered, he felt unable to continue in the same vein. Cirri’s comments reflect broader frustrations among staff about perceived mismanagement and inconsistent communication from higher-ups. His departure marks a significant moment for Caterpillar, a program that has become synonymous with his name and vision over the years. The impact of Cirri’s exit will likely be felt both within Radio 2 and beyond, given his influence in shaping the station’s programming. With the loss of key personnel and shifting priorities, the future of Caterpillar remains uncertain. Whether the program can maintain its former stature without Cirri and Zambotti remains to be seen. As the new academic year approaches, the absence of clear directives from management continues to cast doubt over the stability of the program. For now, the focus shifts to how Radio 2 will navigate these challenges and whether it can retain the essence of Caterpillar amid ongoing changes.