Ranucci: 'They might hope I meet Regeni's fate in Cairo'

Sigfrido Ranucci has rejected Rai's proposed new role, calling it a "step backward" and expressing deep concern over the broadcaster's decisions regarding his future.

Ranucci, who was removed from his long-time role as host of the investigative program "Report," stated he would not accept the new proposal. He also revealed that a third option presented was a correspondent position in Cairo. Ranucci voiced alarm over this possibility, suggesting it could be a deliberate move to put him in danger, alluding to the fate of Giulio Regeni, an Italian researcher who died in Egypt.

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I will not accept what Rai has proposed because it is a step backward.

"Perhaps they hope I could meet the same fate as Regeni," Ranucci stated, noting that he lives under police protection and would be without it abroad. He described the Cairo posting as being akin to "Siberia," a place for "exiles."

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Perhaps they hope I could meet the same fate as Regeni.

Ranucci believes the changes at "Report" are a calculated attempt to dismantle the program. "I believe this is a project to close down Report, and they have succeeded perfectly," he said. He criticized the choice of new hosts, calling it an "affront to meritocracy, to the Report team, and to what it has demonstrated over the years, to its history, its independence."

The journalist also addressed recent controversies, suggesting that false articles were published to cast doubt on his conduct and pave the way for his replacement. "There is a system, it became clear when yesterday Mollicone thanked all the journalists... for raising doubts," Ranucci said, referring to articles he claims were "functional to casting a shadow on my behavior with false articles that were preparatory to the decision to replace me."

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I believe this is a project to close down Report, and they have succeeded perfectly.

Despite the setback, Ranucci declared his intention to continue his fight. "I will not host Report, but I will lead the most important battle of my life for freedom of the press," he vowed, promising his struggle is not an "adieu."

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It is an affront to meritocracy, to the Report team, and to what it has demonstrated over the years, to its history, its independence.