Italy's top investigative journalist was nearly killed when his car exploded outside his home just minutes after his daughter walked by. The blast, which destroyed the vehicle and damaged neighboring cars, is the latest in a string of intimidation tactics aimed at Sigfrido Ranucci, lead anchor of state-run RAI3's Report investigative series.
Ranucci had been receiving threats for two years, according to sources close to him, with investigators linking his work on Report to its investigation into the connections between Cosa Nostra, 'Ndrangheta and far-right crime groups. The journalist has faced numerous libel suits and was absolved in a recent case.
On Thursday, Ranucci shared highlights of the upcoming Report series on social media, including reports into the powerful 'Ndrangheta group and the Sicilian Mafia. His colleagues at RAI said they were used to working under difficult conditions, but this latest attack is seen as an escalation.
"It's not going to stop us," said Ranucci in a statement outside RAI offices. "Whoever thinks they can condition the work of Report by doing something like this will get the opposite effect. The only thing this does is maybe makes us waste some time."
Ranucci has been under police protection since 2021, and his home was damaged in the blast. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her solidarity with Ranucci and condemned what she called "the serious act of intimidation he has suffered." She emphasized the importance of press freedom and independence of information.
Italy ranks 49th in the world for press freedom, according to campaign group Reporters Without Borders. The organization warned that journalists investigating organized crime and corruption are "systematically threatened and sometimes subjected to physical violence."
The FNSI's Secretary General described the attack as "the clock of democracy in Italy being set back decades." At least 81 reporters have been victims of intimidation this year, including 16 cases of physical assault.
Ranucci is well-known for his investigative reports, which have exposed corruption and organized crime in Italy. He has written a book on the mafia and was awarded several prizes for his work. His latest attack has sparked widespread condemnation from politicians, journalists and human rights groups.
Ranucci had been receiving threats for two years, according to sources close to him, with investigators linking his work on Report to its investigation into the connections between Cosa Nostra, 'Ndrangheta and far-right crime groups. The journalist has faced numerous libel suits and was absolved in a recent case.
On Thursday, Ranucci shared highlights of the upcoming Report series on social media, including reports into the powerful 'Ndrangheta group and the Sicilian Mafia. His colleagues at RAI said they were used to working under difficult conditions, but this latest attack is seen as an escalation.
"It's not going to stop us," said Ranucci in a statement outside RAI offices. "Whoever thinks they can condition the work of Report by doing something like this will get the opposite effect. The only thing this does is maybe makes us waste some time."
Ranucci has been under police protection since 2021, and his home was damaged in the blast. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her solidarity with Ranucci and condemned what she called "the serious act of intimidation he has suffered." She emphasized the importance of press freedom and independence of information.
Italy ranks 49th in the world for press freedom, according to campaign group Reporters Without Borders. The organization warned that journalists investigating organized crime and corruption are "systematically threatened and sometimes subjected to physical violence."
The FNSI's Secretary General described the attack as "the clock of democracy in Italy being set back decades." At least 81 reporters have been victims of intimidation this year, including 16 cases of physical assault.
Ranucci is well-known for his investigative reports, which have exposed corruption and organized crime in Italy. He has written a book on the mafia and was awarded several prizes for his work. His latest attack has sparked widespread condemnation from politicians, journalists and human rights groups.
this is like literally the 2nd time someone tried to kill him in 2021 already! he's been getting threats for 2 yrs & now his car explodes just cuz of his reporting work? it's crazy! i think giorgia meloni said it right "press freedom" is so important but sometimes u feel like its just a joke 
the sicilians are literally getting away with murder or in this case, attempted murder 
and its all cuz of people like ranucci who dont back down. lets keep him safe tho, fam 
this is getting scarily close to home... you think it's just gonna stop people like ranucci from speaking truth to power? 
and meanwhile italy ranks 49th in press freedom 
what's the point of having free press if you can't even protect your journalists? 
this is why we need more than just empty words from politicians... we need action 
. 
... two years of threats already and now this? It's like they're trying to silence him, but he's not having it 
. I mean, can you imagine coming home from a long day to find your car had blown up in front of your house? Unbelievable! The fact that Italian Prime Minister is standing up for him is amazing, though 
. It's so sad that journalists are being targeted like this, but at least people like Ranucci are speaking out and refusing to back down 
. I just hope the police can catch whoever did this and bring them to justice 
we can't let people like sigfrido keep doing what they do best: exposing corruption & bringing truth to light 
IT'S LIKE, HE'S ALREADY BEEN UNDER POLICE PROTECTION FOR YEARS AND YET THEY STILL THINK THEY CAN INTIMIDATE HIM INTO QUITTING?! 
. Like, what's next? A hit on a Netflix show creator for being too deep into their series? 
Seriously though, this is getting out of hand. He's been getting threats for 2 years already 
i mean that guy is literally defying gravity and stuff... anyway back to Italy's journalist situation... can't believe they're still getting threats over their job 
for words. A journalist trying to expose corruption gets threatened to death and their car explodes? That's like something out of a movie, not real life! 
It's like, what's next, they're gonna try to take down investigative journalists all over the world?! 
The fact that he's been receiving threats for two years and stuff just shows how powerful these organized crime groups are, you feel me? 
I don't get why this keeps happening, it seems crazy to me... can't people just do their job without being all like "we're gonna hurt you" 
Ranucci is like a hero but also super brave 
& strong 
he's been thru so much already 2 yrs of threats & libel suits & now this 
but still he just wants 2 keep doing his job 
like "it's not gonna stop us" 
& honestly who r we 2 let them condition our work 
. anyway, back to this italian journalist thing... i feel bad for him tho, receiving threats for years is no joke 
. but at the same time, i'm just curious - what's the deal with the 'Ndrangheta group? never heard of it before 
. maybe someone can enlighten me? or better yet, share a cool octopus vid 
a drone attack or something? I mean i get that Ranucci is a thorn in some people's sides with his investigative reports but c'mon, intimidation tactics are not the answer. And yeah the gov's gotta step up and protect press freedom or whatever 
Italy ranks 49th for press freedom, can you even imagine the state of journalism there? 
. Sigfrido Ranucci's bravery is truly inspiring 
. It's heartbreaking to see reporters being subjected to physical violence or threats 
.