Rai suspends Sigfrido Ranucci for 10 days

It is understood that Rai has imposed a 10-day suspension on Sigfrido Ranucci. The decision is reportedly based on four disciplinary charges: around fifty visits by Laura Cianfoni, a former CISL trade unionist, to the company’s headquarters; the content of a conversation with M5S MP Dario Carotenuto; company emails forwarded to Valter Lavitola; and the denigration of colleagues, in particular Giulia Presutti and Daniele Piervincenzi, who were initially tipped to succeed the journalist as head of Report. The first two points had also emerged in a disciplinary notice sent by Rai and previewed by Il Fatto Quotidiano. “It appears that Mr Carotenuto asked you whether there were any concrete elements to support the investigation and that you alluded to contexts described as ‘disturbing’ and proposed a face-to-face meeting to explain the details to him,” the letter states. This behaviour, according to Rai’s disciplinary complaint, is considered “contrary to the principles of loyalty, confidentiality, impartiality and prudent management” which must be upheld when dealing with information that has not yet been disclosed. 

Ranucci responded by announcing the dates of his tour: “However, on Saturday I’ll be in Bologna at the Duse to present my story, ‘Diario Di Un Trapezista’, at 8.45 pm. On the 17th in Albenga at the Teatro Ambra amongst friends, the Fieui di Caruggi; on 24 October in Reggio Calabria; and on 29 October in Calcinato. You will always find me on your side,” wrote the journalist, reposting the news of his suspension on Facebook.

Even before that, when contacted by Fanpage.it, the journalist replied curtly: “No action has been taken regarding the remarks and attacks against me by Corsini, Cerno, Monteleone and Sottile.” And immediately afterwards: “The code of ethics applies only to Bortone, Saviano and Ranucci.” One of the references is to the words used today by Paolo Corsini, editor of Rai’s *Approfondimento*, on the sidelines of the press conference in Milan: “Ranucci reinstated? Let’s hope it doesn’t happen; we don’t think it can happen – it’s a fantasy,” he said regarding the possibility that the Rome Labour Court might rule in favour of his reinstatement as presenter of *Report*. “I’ve done what I had to do. We’re carrying on calmly; we believe we’re in the right and that we’ve done everything correctly,” he added.

The news comes as the Labour Court is due to rule on Ranucci’s reinstatement at Report. In fact, the decision by the judge at the Rome Labour Court on the urgent appeal lodged by the journalist’s lawyers against his removal as presenter of the programme – a decision taken by Rai at the end of August – could be handed down within hours, perhaps as early as tomorrow. At the end of the hearing on 23 September, Judge Donatella Casari had set 30 September as the deadline for the parties to file their submissions, which both Rai and the journalist’s defence team have submitted; however, it appears there was a need to authorise the filing of further submissions by today. Once today’s deadline has passed, the ruling may be issued. A decision is expected this week in any case, in light of the deadline set by Rai for the former presenter of Report to choose between the three options offered by the broadcaster, which has been extended until 13 October.

"The decision will be challenged," announced lawyer Roberto De Vita, coordinator of Ranucci’s legal team, regarding the suspension announced by Rai. “Just as the Rome Labour Court is ruling on Sigfrido Ranucci’s application for interim relief against his removal from *Report*, Rai has notified him of a new sanction: a ten-day suspension from work and pay,” the lawyer emphasised. This decision comes just a few days after the submission of detailed defences, in which the substance and methodology of the allegations made by Rai were contested. Pending the judge’s decision, we will not comment on the timing of this development.”