Italy’s RAI Removes Veteran Journalist, Sparking Political Storm

ROME: Italy’s state broadcaster RAI has removed veteran journalist Sigfrido Ranucci as presenter of its flagship investigative programme Report, triggering a political controversy and renewed debate over press freedom and the independence of public broadcasting.

RAI announced the decision after Ranucci had led Report for nine years. The broadcaster said the move was aimed at strengthening investigative journalism and promoting younger talent, while offering Ranucci alternative positions on other news programmes or as a foreign correspondent.

The decision was strongly criticised by opposition parties, which described it as an attack on press freedom and alleged that weakening Report had been a longstanding objective of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government. Government allies, however, welcomed the move, with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini calling it the right decision.

The controversy follows a bomb attack outside Ranucci’s home in October last year. Although authorities have found no evidence that Ranucci knew about the attack in advance, the arrest of businessman Valter Lavitola, who allegedly told prosecutors through his lawyer that he had ordered the attack, intensified political and media scrutiny surrounding the journalist.

Journalists working on Report have condemned Ranucci’s removal as unacceptable and warned that several newsroom staff could resign if RAI management does not reverse the decision. The dispute has further intensified concerns over the broadcaster’s editorial independence and its vulnerability to political influence.