Report journalists threaten mass walkout as Rai names Daniele Piervincenzi and Giulia Presutti to host

Impasse at Via Teulada

Talks between Rai in-depth programming director Paolo Corsini and veteran Report journalists Bernardo Iovene and Giulio Valesini reached an impasse on 1 September 2026. The meeting followed Rai management's decision to appoint Daniele Piervincenzi and Giulia Presutti as the new co-hosts of the Rai 3 investigative program, replacing Sigfrido Ranucci after his dismissal over the Lavitola case. Iovene, representing external correspondents, and Valesini, representing internal staff, both turned down offers to serve as head authors for the upcoming season. The journalists warned that internal reporters will strike and external contributors will resign if the appointments stand. Following his discussions with Corsini at the Via Teulada studios in Rome, Iovene stated the team's ultimatum.

In today's meeting we reiterated the position expressed by external correspondents and internal journalists of Report: Rai must back down on the appointments of the two new hosts, or there must be a withdrawal on their part, otherwise we will not return to work and will abandon everything.

Editorial compromise rejected

During the morning talks, Corsini attempted to broker a compromise by proposing that Piervincenzi and Presutti would only introduce reports on air without exercising editorial control over investigative choices. Under this proposal, authoring decisions and narrative control would remain entirely in the hands of the veteran newsroom. The staff rejected the division of responsibilities, arguing that the designated hosts are practicing reporters rather than pure presenters and would expect a seat at the editorial table. Later in the afternoon, Corsini met directly with Piervincenzi and Presutti for two hours at the Via Teulada studios. Exiting the meeting, Piervincenzi declined to answer questions from reporters, stating that they were not permitted to speak.

He proposed to us that we could decide on the broadcast, while they would only take care of introducing the investigations, but because they are two journalists, not two presenters, we imagine they would not accept such a thing.

Former host's criticism and political reaction

The leadership dispute deepened with public comments from former host Sigfrido Ranucci, who is pursuing legal action against Rai over his removal. Addressing Piervincenzi's remarks in Il Domani expressing disappointment over earlier criticism, Ranucci reiterated his opposition to the management's decision. Ranucci stated that the public contest won by the new hosts was designed to fill staffing gaps in regional newsrooms rather than lead 160 minutes of prime-time investigative television, while also accusing Presutti of withholding information from colleagues before her appointment.

Mediocre is not your professionalism, but the choice to put you at the head of the most important investigative program in the history of Italian television.

Ranucci's statements generated political pushback from lawmakers in the governing Fratelli d'Italia party. Members of parliament asked whether Ranucci had previously allocated program budget resources to assist acquaintances in difficulty, describing such practices as using public funds for charity. The parliamentarians announced they will submit an inquiry to the parliamentary committee overseeing the public broadcaster to demand clarification from Rai management.

Newsroom assembly and broadcast schedule

The standoff threatens the launch of Report's upcoming season, which is scheduled in Rai broadcast plans for November 2026. Editorial staff members noted that four veteran journalists (Iovene, Valesini, Giorgio Mottola, and Paolo Mondani) were initially proposed by the newsroom for the hosting role, and all four remain willing to step aside if Rai selects alternative internal candidates backed by the newsroom. A general meeting is set for 2 September 2026, when Corsini will meet the full contingent of 60 journalists and production staff at Via Teulada. If management maintains the current hosting lineup, an estimated 50 investigative reporters, coordinators, and technical crew members are prepared to quit the show.