Rai prepares to replace Sigfrido Ranucci as host of investigative show Report

Ethics review and succession plans

Management at Italian public broadcaster Rai is preparing an official announcement regarding the leadership of its flagship investigative program Report. The decision follows a classified ethics committee assessment delivered to chief executive Giampaolo Rossi on 13 August 2026. Broadcaster executives intend to replace Sigfrido Ranucci as presenter before the end of the week, while presenting him with alternative internal roles. Ranucci will retain his position as deputy director ad personam of Rai Approfondimenti, as network leadership does not plan a formal suspension. Editorial authority over the host selection rests with Rossi and the director of Rai Approfondimenti, Paolo Corsini, who seek to safeguard the broadcast brand amid ongoing judicial scrutiny.

Shortlist of internal successors

Rai leadership is evaluating a narrow roster of internal candidates to take over the program before its scheduled return to television in October 2026. Potential successors under consideration include Mi manda Rai Tre presenter Federico Ruffo, Presadiretta host Riccardo Iacona, Belve presenter Francesca Fagnani, and Report investigative correspondent Giorgio Mottola. The production team resumed investigative assignments on 16 August 2026, though reporting indicates communication between Ranucci and newsroom staff has remained limited. Through legal counsel, Ranucci cautioned corporate leadership against any punitive steps, maintaining that corporate actions targeting him or the broadcast would rest on untruths. The journalist had previously indicated he was actively working on stories for the upcoming broadcast season.

Investigation into outside interference

The leadership change follows an inquiry by the Rai ethics committee, which questioned Ranucci during a five-hour hearing on 4 August 2026. The committee scrutinized Ranucci's relationship with Valter Lavitola, who visited Rai facilities on Via Teulada twice, alongside visits involving Maria Rosaria Boccia. Legal authorities arrested Lavitola after he confessed to orchestrating the October 2025 bombing that destroyed motor vehicles belonging to Ranucci and his daughter outside their home. Rai corporate investigators are conducting further reviews to determine whether Lavitola influenced broadcast investigations, editorial angles, or newsroom contacts during Ranucci's tenure. While Ranucci remains an injured party in the criminal inquiry led by the Rome public prosecutor, broadcaster management requested additional assessments on the reputational consequences for the network.

Political reactions in parliament

The anticipated change in hosting duties triggered sharp political friction between opposition lawmakers and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's ruling coalition. Five Star Movement Senate group leader Luca Pirondini accused the government of pressuring network executives to silence journalism scrutinizing Fratelli d'Italia, citing previous reports on Daniela Santanchè and Andrea Delmastro. Pirondini compared the development to past political purges at the state broadcaster and demanded that Rai leadership halt the removal process. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party adopted a more cautious stance regarding the managerial deliberations.

We continue to ask Rai for independence and prudence. Independence from the will of Meloni, Fazzolari, and their censoring company; prudence regarding a decision that exposes the public service to image and economic damage.