Rome \u2013 Rai is set to discuss the future of investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci and his program \u201eReport\u201c this Tuesday. As of this morning, it remained unclear whether station management would announce a final decision today or take a few more days to decide\u2014but it now seems unlikely that Ranucci will continue hosting the show as it is.<\/p>\n
The deliberations are based on a report by the Rai Ethics Committee, which had heard Ranucci for five hours in early August. Among other things, the committee reviewed the host\u2019s chat messages, a voice message regarding alleged connections between the Mafia and Freemasonry within Rai, and a confidential email from the programming director. Rai Director General Giampaolo Rossi had requested several days to review the dossier before submitting a recommendation to the Board of Directors.<\/p>\n
Several Italian newspapers have consistently reported that the network\u2019s management is inclined to no longer keep Ranucci at the helm of the show. Federico Ruffo, a former \u201eReport\u201c staff member who currently hosts the show \u201cMi manda Rai Tre,\u201d is considered the most likely candidate to succeed him. Also under consideration are a co-hosting arrangement between Ruffo and journalist Sabrina Giannini, as well as a transitional season without a permanent host, in which individual editors would present their segments themselves. Ranucci himself is said to favor longtime \u201cReport\u201d editors Giorgio Mottola and Paolo Mondani should he step down.<\/p>\n
Rai is simultaneously exploring other roles for Ranucci, such as at RaiNews, TG3, or as editor-in-chief. He is expected to retain his title as deputy director of Rai 3 and his salary\u2014in part to avoid a legal dispute like the one journalist Michele Santoro brought against Rai following a similar dismissal.<\/p>\n
Ranucci himself has so far refused to step down and has publicly described the pressure being exerted on him as a political witch hunt. His attorney, Roberto De Vita, stated that the victim of a serious attack is now being blamed for damage to Rai\u2019s reputation\u2014a paradox with serious democratic consequences. Criticism has also come from the opposition: Five Star Movement Senator Luca Pirondini called on Rai not to bow to pressure from the ruling party, Fratelli d\u2019Italia, while Member of the European Parliament Sandro Ruotolo is said to have reported the case to the EU as a possible instance of interference in editorial decisions. Lega leader Matteo Salvini had previously called publicly for Ranucci\u2019s resignation.<\/p>\n