Report, hosted by Presutti and Piervincenzi. Correspondents: ‘Unacceptable’

According to reports in Il Sole 24 Ore, Ranucci would have thirty days to consider the matter and respond. The most likely option would be a post outside Italia: a foreign correspondent role. But there are also Tg3 and RaiNews24. These are solutions that would allow the company to guarantee the journalist a role commensurate with his seniority and experience and, at the same time, to clearly separate his career path from that of *Report*.

This marks the culmination of a case that came to the fore following developments in the investigation into the attack on 16 October 2025 outside Ranucci’s home in Pomezia, when an explosive device damaged the journalist’s car, his daughter’s car and the house. At the end of June, four alleged perpetrators were arrested; the investigation by the Rome Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) subsequently identified Valter Lavitola as the possible mastermind.

The problem for Rai arose primarily from the relationship between Lavitola and Ranucci and the conversations that emerged from the investigation. The messages obtained by the investigators also contained references to the presenter’s possible entry into politics: in October 2024, Lavitola pressed him, amongst other things, on the possibility of standing for election. Ranucci has always maintained that his associations were of a journalistic nature and, when the role attributed to Lavitola in the attack came to light, he spoke of being ‘stunned’, whilst reiterating his trust in the investigators.

In July, Rai had first suspended the summer repeats of *Report* and then set up the Ethics Code Commission, tasked with assessing compliance with the principles of impartiality, independence, verification of sources and the proper management of those sources. The case became even more sensitive in August, when Lavitola, who had been remanded in custody, admitted before the investigating magistrate that he had ordered the attack, whilst claiming, however, that he had organised it to enable Ranucci to obtain greater protection. This account was deemed by the investigating magistrate to remain ‘vague’, and investigations are continuing. From a legal standpoint, Ranucci remains the victim of the attack.

Rai, on the other hand, has made its editorial decision. And in its press release, it justifies this with a statement that also sounds like the political and corporate key to the whole affair: investigative journalism, Viale Mazzini asserts, must be based on ‘the credibility and authority that only full editorial independence and rigorous impartiality can ensure’.

“Report is one of the most important examples of investigative journalism in the public service. We are entrusting the programme to two professionals who have built their careers in the field, with rigour, expertise and a focus on issues of major public interest,” said Paolo Corsini, director of Rai Approfondimento.

Among the first to comment publicly on Rai’s decision to remove Sigfrido Ranucci as presenter of *Report* was the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Lega, Matteo Salvini: “That’s only right. Now let’s get to the bottom of this,” he wrote on X.

“Long live Report” was Milena Gabanelli’s response when Adnkronos contacted her by telephone for a comment on the new co-presenter arrangement for Report chosen by Rai. The presenter, who launched the programme in 1997 and hosted it until 2016 – before Sigfrido Ranucci took over from her – did not wish to add anything further.

“Removing Sigfrido Ranucci from the helm of *Report* was one of this government’s objectives, and today they have achieved it. We have nothing against the journalists nominated to take over the programme, but the way this has been handled amounts to a veritable coup,” commented M5S Senator Barbara Floridia, chair of the Rai Supervisory Committee. “Italia,” she added, “is plunging back into the dark days of Berlusconi’s ‘Bulgarian Edict’ with what we might call the ‘Meloni Edict’.”

The programme’s long-standing correspondents have taken a very firm stance, threatening to leave *Report*. ‘The decision taken by Rai,’ reads a statement, ‘is, in our view, completely unacceptable. It is unacceptable in terms of procedure, given that the broadcaster has refused any dialogue with the team over the past few weeks, leaving us to learn of the decision through the news agencies; and in terms of substance, given that the individuals chosen are in no way representative of the history and values of Report. Given that the broadcaster’s intention appears to be to destroy the programme’s history and integrity, on the basis of a clear political mandate, we announce that, should Rai not reverse its decision, we will all leave the programme en masse.”

The comment posted on Facebook by the presenter sacked by Rai was decidedly scathing, and by no means favourable towards the two new presenters appointed to lead *Report*: ‘Two people have been chosen to replace me who belittle the professionalism that, for 30 years, has shaped the history of *Report* and public service broadcasting.’ This judgement was preceded by the following statement: “I have learnt that Rai has suspended me from presenting *Report*. The reason is that I am alleged to have jeopardised Report’s credibility following the 2,800 articles published in two months by newspapers belonging to the Angelucci group and, in any case, pro-government outlets, including ‘friendly fire’ from within Rai itself. That is, by those whom Mollicone thanked yesterday for casting ‘shadows’ over myself. And that’s that.”