Sigfrido Ranucci is an Italian journalist and television presenter, best known for hosting the investigative program Report on Rai 3. Recent events (as of October 2025) include a car bombing outside his home in the Rome area, which targeted him and his family. Authorities have described the incident as a mafia-style attack, and it has drawn broad coverage and calls for protection of journalists and media freedom in Italy. What happened
- On the night of October 16, 2025, an explosion occurred under or near Ranucci’s car parked outside his residence in Campo Ascolano, near Rome, destroying the vehicle and damaging a neighboring car and the house. The blast was powerful enough to cause significant danger to anyone nearby. Italian law enforcement and investigative services were deployed to the scene, and the public prosecutor’s office opened an inquiry. The incident was treated as a violent attack against a journalist and a possible escalation of threats against investigative reporting.
Context and reactions
- Ranucci has long been a prominent figure in Italian investigative journalism through the program Report, which has frequently exposed political and economic misconduct. Prior to the attack, there were concerns about threats and hostility toward the program and its staff, with calls for greater protection and a condemnation of attempts to intimidate journalists. The attack prompted expressions of solidarity from colleagues, unions, and media watchdogs, and discussions at political and European levels about press freedom in Italy.
Current status and implications
- Investigations are ongoing under Italian authorities, with attention on identifying the perpetrators and motives, and assessing broader risks facing investigative reporters in the country. The incident has intensified debates about the safety of journalists, media independence, and the climate of public discourse surrounding investigative reporting in Italy.
If you’d like, I can pull up the latest official statements from Rai, the prosecutor’s office, or related European media freedom groups to provide precise quotes and the most current updates.
