The gag Ranucci dreamed of

Sigfrido Ranucci has a problem with journalism and press freedom. He claims to be the victim of a ‘character assassination’ that is ‘unprecedented in the history of our country, and perhaps even worldwide’ (Ranucci is always measured in his remarks). Yet every day he attacks a journalist on social media for the mere act of reporting the news, throwing them to the wolves in front of his one million followers. “Yet another falsehood from *Libero*. The contents of the interview were agreed upon and dictated by me. And reviewed by me,” he writes.

However, Libero has not fabricated the story. Giacomo Amadori, one of the finest investigative journalists, reports that Valter Lavitola’s former partner, Natalia Potenza, told prosecutors that Ranucci’s interview with a Zimbabwean newspaper—intended to defend the interests of his friend, the bomber—“was written by Lavitola, who then sent it to Ranucci”. Amadori describes the evidence provided by Potenza to the investigators regarding the origins of the interview. It is not known whether this is actually how it happened, but it is not fake news. Perhaps Potenza lied to the prosecutors, but Amadori was telling the truth when he reported what the woman had told them. (Capone continues on page four)

As well as labelling any news about the progress of the investigations as ‘fake news’, Ranucci adds insults or disparages newspapers, publishers and journalists. “Yet another falsehood from Open. I have never had any interests in Valter Lavitola’s activities, let alone in rare earths,” says Ranucci in a post. “The person writing about my alleged interests on Open is Alessandro D’Amato, who stated in an interview that he had been paid to write a book aimed at clearing Lavitola’s name.” Once again: the article reported that the public prosecutors’ investigations were focusing on the rare-earth business in Africa, a story that had appeared that morning in many other newspapers (from Corriere della Sera to Il Messaggero). Why discredit a journalist for his professional ties with Lavitola, which, incidentally, are less close than those between Sigfrido and his “close friend” Valter?

“Yet another hoax reposted by Il Giornale, part of the Angelucci group – an MP from the Lega – and edited by Tommaso Cerno, the partner of an FdI MP,” he writes in a post commenting on an article that discussed alleged financial links between Ranucci and Lavitola, as reported by Potenza to the public prosecutors.

And again: “Today, Libero, as reported by Mentana’s Open and Franco Bechis – known as ‘Fosca’ – mentions a photo allegedly taken by investigators or the secret services, concerning a supposed kiss between me and Maria Rosaria Boccia. It is a fake, and the photo they are referring to – which I retrieved from the chat – was clearly created using artificial intelligence. This gives readers an idea of what is being funded with taxpayers’ money. The editor is Sallusti, who was pardoned from prison and who, together with FdI, requested and secured the suspension of the summer repeats of Report. The government remains silent on this use of the press.” Once again, in that same article, Amadori reported that Potenza had told prosecutors during questioning that Lavitola had said to her: “This idiot (Ranucci, ed.) can no longer stand as a candidate. They showed us a photo of Sigfrido kissing Boccia.” The fake news, if any, comes from Potenza if she made up this dialogue. At a push, it might come from Lavitola, if he told his ex-partner something untrue. But certainly not from the reporter, who reported something true as relayed to the investigators.

Instead, Ranucci lashes out at the messenger. He cannot bring himself to utter a single word of condemnation against those who planted a bomb outside his home (Lavitola ‘would never have harmed me or my family’ was his strongest statement), he does not report those who allegedly tell falsehoods to the prosecutors – such as the ex-partner of his bomb-making friend – but he lashes out at journalists simply doing their job. While it may not be the most significant case in history or worldwide, it is known as character assassination.