Giulia Presutti steps down as Report co-host in bid to help the program

Giulia Presutti is stepping aside from her planned role as co-host of Report, saying the move could help the Rai investigative program escape an increasingly bitter dispute over its future.

In an email to Rai’s director of in-depth programming, Paolo Corsini, Presutti described her decision as a voluntary “step back.” She said she hoped it would help the program that had trained her and to which she had been honored to contribute. She also argued that a program so loved by viewers and so important to Rai should not become stuck in small arguments and exchanges.

“

I am voluntarily taking a step back, in the hope of helping the program that trained me and to which I have had the honor of contributing.

Presutti said Report’s future should not depend on individual names or personalities. She expressed hope that the program would continue its public-service work, and said she remained available to Rai, where she intended to continue working with passion.

“

A program so loved, which has given so much to the public and to our company, cannot become stuck in such small discussions and exchanges, nor do I believe its future can be tied to individual names and personalities.

The dispute centers on the choice of Presutti and Daniele Piervincenzi as presenters. Colleagues consider them unsuitable for the roles and say the presenters are central to the program because they represent it before the public. They also insist that the hosts must protect Report’s identity and independence.

Corsini met with newsroom journalists and staff, reopening the possibility of a compromise and scheduling another meeting, perhaps as soon as the following day. He said the new presenters would not direct the program, which would remain in the hands of its established team. He offered veteran staff the role of chief writers, but they have so far rejected the proposal. Presutti and Piervincenzi tried to attend the meeting, but Corsini asked them to wait outside, so they did not speak with their colleagues. Rai remains hopeful that the newsroom may accept a rotating format alongside the two selected presenters.

“

I hope Report continues to do the outstanding public-service work it has always done.