Italian Journalist Faces Political Pressure Amidst Attack Investigation

Sigfrido Ranucci, host of the Italian public television's investigative journalism program 'Report,' is facing political pressure for his alleged involvement in an image-damaging incident, a claim his lawyer vehemently denies. Lawyer Roberto De Vita stated Ranucci is a "victim" of a "serious attack" that is being used as a pretext to demand his removal. De Vita criticized the situation as a "moral paradox with serious consequences for democracy."

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As already in previous audits concluded with confirmation of the correctness of Report's work, Ranucci has always defended the value of the editorial staff's journalists, protecting their autonomy and independence, well aware of how investigative journalism constantly exposes one to criticism and attacks. Like the one that is happening now where the (inconvenient) victim of a serious attack (which becomes a pretext) is imputed responsibility for an image damage and is asked by politics for his replacement, a moral paradox with serious consequences for democracy.

Ranucci himself took to Facebook to voice his concerns, posting that the government is demanding his replacement. He also shared a statement from Democratic Party MEP Sandro Ruotolo, who announced he had written to European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen. Ruotolo's letter aims to draw attention to repeated statements by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini against Ranucci and his request to Rai (Italian public broadcasting) to suspend him from 'Report.'

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The government asks for my replacement, the PD denounces to the European Commission.

Ruotolo emphasized that this situation concerns the independence of public service broadcasting and the application of the European Media Freedom Act. He argued that a deputy prime minister should not determine the professional future of a Rai journalist, nor should the government decide who hosts a public service program. Ruotolo pointed out that the judicial investigation into the attack on Ranucci has not attributed any prior knowledge or participation to the journalist, making the attempt to portray the victim as a political defendant unacceptable.

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It cannot be the Vice-President of the Council who decides the professional future of a Rai journalist. And it cannot be the government that decides who should or should not host a public service program.

Furthermore, Ruotolo stated that when a high-ranking government official repeatedly calls for a specific journalist's suspension, it directly interferes with the autonomy that should remain separate from political power. He cited Articles 4 and 5 of the European Media Freedom Act, which protect editorial freedom and independence and prohibit public authorities from influencing editorial policies and decisions.

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Transforming the victim of an attack into the political defendant of the affair is unacceptable.