Andrea Giambruno, journalist for Rete4 and partner of the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has apologized for using the term “transumanza” in relation to the movements of migrants. “During the episode of Diario del giorno on Friday, dedicated to the complex phenomenon of illegal immigration, I used a term that was completely inappropriate. I apologize to these people, to the audience, and to the company,” said the journalist, trying to close the controversy that he was involved in following the episode of ‘Diario del giorno’ which aired on September 29th on Rete 4.
The gaffe was widely mocked on social media with memes and ridicule. “During a live broadcast, thousands of words are used, and it can happen to anyone, in a human way, to make a mistake, but the accusations of racism are far from my ideas and my history,” said the host of ‘Diario del giorno’.
Previous controversy
Giambruno found himself at the center of another controversy at the end of August. During an episode of Diario del Giorno (with Pietro Senaldi as a guest), in which some cases of sexual violence that have shaken public opinion were discussed, Giambruno stated: “If you go dancing, you have the right to get drunk – there should be no misunderstanding, says Senaldi, and no stumbling – but if you avoid getting drunk and losing consciousness, perhaps you also avoid certain problems and the risk of encountering the wolf.” These words sparked a firestorm.
The journalist addressed the issue in a subsequent interview with Corriere della Sera. “I never said ‘the girl asked for it’ or that if you avoid getting drunk ‘you won’t get raped’. These quotes appeared in a newspaper and then everywhere else, but it’s pure defamation,” he said. “I allowed myself to tell young people, boys and girls without any gender distinction, not to go out purposely to get drunk and do drugs. I recommended them to be careful because, unfortunately, there are malicious people out there. I didn’t say that men are entitled to rape drunk women. However, certain politicians are chasing after a false headline, demanding my suspension, but for what? For telling young people not to do drugs?”
Giorgia Meloni’s response
On September 7th, the topic was also addressed to the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a press conference. “I’m not telling Andrea Giambruno what he should say on TV. I think Andrea Giambruno said something different from what most people interpreted. In those words, I don’t read ‘if you wear a miniskirt you can be raped’, I read something similar to what my mother used to tell me when I was going out as a girl: keep your eyes open and be sensible,” said the Prime Minister.
“Unfortunately, rapists exist, and we must not let our guard down. The concept of remaining as present as possible and doing our best to not put ourselves in a position to allow these animals to do what they want to do… I think this is advice that many parents would give to their children: keep your eyes open and be sensible. I find no justification for those who commit rape. Girls, be careful, that’s what I see,” Meloni responded to the question.
The Prime Minister then added, “For months, I have been called into question for anything Andrea Giambruno says. I would like to understand your interpretation of the concept of freedom of the press. In my opinion, a journalist does not say on TV what his wife thinks. My idea of freedom of the press is this: I am not held accountable for the things a journalist says in the exercise of their profession, and that journalist is not attacked in the exercise of their profession because they love me. Please, in the future, do not ask me to answer for what a journalist declares in the free expression of their work. I do not feel that I should tell them what to say, I do not feel that I can do it because I believe in freedom of the press,” Meloni said, addressing the reporters.