Overview
- Rai, which issued the reprimand on Thursday, told Ranucci it will not fund any legal defense if Justice Minister Carlo Nordio sues over his remark.
- The action stems from comments Ranucci made on Tuesday on Rete4’s È sempre Cartabianca, where he relayed a source claim that Nordio was seen at Giuseppe Cipriani’s ranch in Uruguay.
- Nordio phoned the broadcast to deny the account, said his official trip to South America is documented, and said he was weighing legal action.
- Rai said Ranucci had clearance only to present a book on the rival show and argued that airing an unverified tip violated public‑service standards on source checks and reputations.
- Ranucci said he is ready to defend himself in court, while Five Star lawmakers condemned Rai’s move as a blow to press freedom and right‑leaning coverage labeled the claim a falsehood.