Sigfrido Ranucci contests Rai removal as Report newsroom threatens mass resignation

Legal challenge against broadcaster decision

Lawyers representing Sigfrido Ranucci formally contested the decision by Italian state broadcaster Rai to replace him as host of investigative program Report. Attorneys Roberto De Vita and Stefano Rossi submitted a legal notice declaring the move illegitimate, demanding documentation from Rai within seven days to establish the causal link for his removal. The legal filing reserves the right to pursue urgent injunctive actions to halt the measure, reinstate Ranucci to his hosting position, and claim financial damages. Rai management offered Ranucci three alternative placements with a 30-day decision window: managing the network's correspondence bureau in Cairo, taking an ad personam deputy directorship at Tg3 overseeing specials and podcasts, or serving as deputy director at RaiNews24 with responsibility for investigative reports. Ranucci indicated he has no intention of accepting these reassignments.

Newsroom resistance and rejected appointments

The decision to appoint Report journalists Giulia Presutti and Daniele Piervincenzi to lead the broadcast from November triggered unified resistance across the show's staff of more than 60 people. Paolo Corsini, director of Rai Approfondimento, offered senior reporters Bernardo Iovene and Giulio Valesini roles as chief authors. Both journalists rejected the appointments within 30 minutes of the announcement, stating that accepting author roles under imposed hosting changes lacked editorial legitimacy without the support of the reporting team.

When I gave my availability for the role of author, Director Corsini told me he did not know whether I would support Sigfrido Ranucci or another host, but then after just half an hour the names of the new hosts were published and Sigfrido was removed from the program.

The newsroom announced plans for collective resignations if the broadcaster refuses to withdraw the appointments. Staff representatives scheduled a formal meeting with Corsini for 2 September 2026, pledging to hold a public press conference and appeal to civil society if management maintains its stance.

Program tensions and disputed contacts

The conflict follows internal strain after Rai suspended summer reruns of Report earlier in the season. Investigative reporter Giulia Innocenzi stated that editorial staff were left without operational clarity following the suspension of repeats, while management provided assurances that contradicted subsequent replacement moves.

We remained in limbo from the moment Rai decided to suspend the summer reruns, with a decision that caught us off guard.

Public disputes intensified following the publication in the newspaper Domani of a photograph showing newly named co-host Giulia Presutti at a restaurant owned by Valter Lavitola. Lavitola is currently in custody, accused of orchestrating an October 2025 attack against Ranucci. After reports alleged Presutti visited the venue on Ranucci's instructions in 2024, Ranucci published a statement rejecting the claim, citing seized chat logs from Lavitola's phone to assert he never directed her to attend.

Political scrutiny and future outlook

The host removal has extended into national political debates. Italy's opposition Democratic Party submitted an appeal to European Union authorities in Brussels, citing potential violations of the European Media Freedom Act. Speaking during a public appearance at the Teatro Efebo in Agrigento alongside Five Star Movement deputy Ida Carmina, Ranucci stated he would continue his legal battle independently. In a television interview on La7, when asked about potentially running in upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for next year, Ranucci stated that he does not rule anything out, though legal efforts regarding Report remain his immediate focus.