Signorelli apologizes for his anti-Semitic remarks
Paolo Signorelli, former spokesperson for Minister Enzo Lollobrigida, has apologized for antisemitic remarks made in private chats with Fabrizio Piscitelli, known as 'Diabolik,' a prominent Lazio football fan who was later killed. Signorelli resigned two years ago after these chats were discovered during an investigation into Piscitelli's murder and became public. He clarified that he was not affiliated with the far-right party Fratelli d'Italia at the time and emphasized that the messages were private and not meant to be shared publicly. He stated that he regrets the content of those messages and acknowledges they were inappropriate. Despite claims of being targeted by the left, Signorelli says he accepted the consequences of his actions and has since been reappointed as Lollobrigida's spokesperson.
Paolo Signorelli has returned as the spokesperson for Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, despite controversy surrounding his past remarks in private chats with Fabrizio Piscitelli, known as "Diabolik," a former leader of Lazio's ultra-nationalist supporters who was killed in Rome in 2019. The decision comes two years after Signorelli stepped down from the role following the publication of these messages, which included antisemitic and neo-fascist comments. His reinstatement follows requests from Lollobrigida, who has expressed confidence in Signorelli’s current alignment with official government positions. The conversations, which were part of an investigation into Diabolik’s murder, were deemed legally irrelevant but sparked public outrage due to their content. In one message, Signorelli wrote, “Mortacci loro e degli ebrei,” responding to a post shared by Piscitelli about German soldiers who died during World War II while held captive by U.S. forces. Other exchanges referenced anti-Semitic slurs, admiration for black extremists, and expressions of support for the acquittal of another figure linked to organized crime in Rome. Audio recordings from the chats revealed discussions about stadium conflicts involving perceived injustices against Lazio fans, as well as references to Inter Milan supporters being labeled “infamous” for reporting names of Lazio associates to authorities. In June 2024, Signorelli resigned from his position, stating he wanted to avoid damaging the government or his family. He described the remarks as belonging to a different phase of his life and emphasized they did not reflect his current views. At the time, he told Il Foglio that he would not play the victim but felt it was necessary to step aside for the sake of everyone involved. Now, after a period of professional reflection, Signorelli has been reappointed by Lollobrigida, who stated that nothing had emerged to prevent him from continuing his work as a communications officer. Edoardo Garibaldi, who previously served as Lollobrigida’s spokesperson, has returned to working for Rai, the Italian state broadcaster, based in Puglia. Garibaldi’s departure marked the end of a brief tenure that coincided with the controversy over Signorelli’s remarks. The reinstatement of Signorelli has drawn criticism from political figures, including Marco Grimaldi, vice-chairman of the Avanguardia movement in Parliament. Grimaldi called the move “scandalous and politically indecent,” arguing that Lollobrigida continues to confuse personal loyalty with institutional responsibility. He suggested that the minister might need someone to help prevent further missteps rather than appointing someone already associated with controversial statements. The chats between Signorelli and Diabolik were initially part of an inquiry into the latter’s death but were later considered outside the scope of criminal proceedings. Despite this, the content of the messages raised questions about Signorelli’s suitability for high-profile roles within the government. His return to the position has reignited debates about accountability and the influence of personal associations in public office. Critics argue that the decision undermines efforts to distance the government from individuals whose past actions could damage its reputation. The reinstatement of Signorelli highlights ongoing tensions within Italian politics regarding the balance between loyalty and ethical standards. While Lollobrigida insists that Signorelli’s recent conduct aligns with official values, opponents remain unconvinced. The situation underscores the complexity of navigating political careers amid scrutiny over past affiliations and statements. As Signorelli resumes his duties, the focus will shift to whether his actions in the coming months will validate or challenge the claims made about his previous remarks.
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Paolo Signorelli, former spokesperson for Minister Enzo Lollobrigida, has apologized for antisemitic remarks made in private chats with Fabrizio Piscitelli, known as 'Diabolik,' a prominent Lazio football fan who was later killed. Signorelli resigned two years ago after these chats were discovered during an investigation into Piscitelli's murder and became public. He clarified that he was not affiliated with the far-right party Fratelli d'Italia at the time and emphasized that the messages were private and not meant to be shared publicly. He stated that he regrets the content of those messages and acknowledges they were inappropriate. Despite claims of being targeted by the left, Signorelli says he accepted the consequences of his actions and has since been reappointed as Lollobrigida's spokesperson.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Signorelli's apology and explanation without overtly favoring any political side. It includes direct quotes from Signorelli and does not take a stance on whether his remarks were justified or if the left overreacted. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the facts of the case
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports that Paolo Signorelli resigned after chats with Diabolik were made public, and he has since apologized for antisemitic remarks. It cites his interview with Hoara Borselli and mentions his return to his role as Lollobrigida’s spokesperson. However, it does not include s
Why objectivity (65): The article presents Signorelli’s perspective but frames the situation as an apology for 'antisemitic' remarks, which may imply judgment rather than neutrality. The tone leans toward portraying Signorelli as having made regrettable comments without providing counterpoints or broader context.
la RepubblicaIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 85Objective 659/2/2026
Paolo Signorelli, ex portavoce del ministro dell'Agricoltura Francesco Lollobrigida, è tornato a occupare il ruolo di capo comunicazione dopo essere stato licenziato nel 2024 a causa delle chat pubblicate tra lui e Fabrizio Piscitelli, noto come Diabolik, un capo ultras della Lazio morto nel 2019. Le conversazioni, resi pubbliche, contenevano commenti antisemiti, elogi verso gruppi terroristi e espressioni razziste. Lollobrigida ha espresso fiducia in Signorelli, pur ammettendo di non credere ai contenuti delle chat. Signorelli ha negato di ricordare la conversazione e ha distanziato se stesso dai contenuti. La decisione ha suscitato critiche, con Marco Grimaldi che definisce la scelta 'scandalosa' e 'politicamente indecente'.
Bias read (Progressive): L'article frames the situation by highlighting the controversy around Signorelli's past communications and criticizes Lollobrigida's decision to reinstate him, suggesting a left-leaning perspective that emphasizes institutional integrity over personal loyalty. The emphasis on the antisemitic content
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports that Paolo Signorelli has returned as the spokesperson for Francesco Lollobrigida after resigning over chats with Diabolik. It includes specific quotes from the chats, such as 'Mortacci loro e degli ebrei', which align with the primary source document. However, it adds
Why objectivity (65): The tone is somewhat biased, presenting Signorelli’s resignation as a consequence of his association with Diabolik while also highlighting his return to the role. The article uses emotionally charged language like 'narcotrafficante' and 'ultras' and frames the situation in a way that suggests moral
Paolo Signorelli, ex portavoce del ministro dell'Agricoltura Francesco Lollobrigida, è stato nuovamente nominato come tale dopo due anni di distanza. L'annuncio segue il suo ritiro nel giugno 2024 a causa di commenti antisemiti e neofascisti trovati nelle sue chat con Fabrizio Piscitelli, noto come 'Diabolik', un narcotrafficante ucciso nel 2019. Nelle conversazioni, Signorelli aveva espresso frasi offensive nei confronti degli ebrei, che furono considerate irrilevanti per l'indagine sulla sua morte. Dopo aver dimettosi, Signorelli ha dichiarato di non identificarsi più con quelle parole o azioni. Ora, secondo quanto riferito dal capodelegazione di Fratelli d'Italia al governo, non ci sono ostacoli legali o etici al suo ritorno.
Bias read (Conservative): L'article presents Signorelli's return to his role within the government despite past controversies, emphasizing his current professional qualifications and downplaying the significance of his previous remarks. The framing suggests a rehabilitation of his political standing, aligning with right-wing
Why factuality (80): This article provides a detailed account of Signorelli’s resignation based on the chat exchanges with Diabolik, including the quote 'Mortacci degli ebrei'. It references the legal status of the chats as 'penalmente irrilevanti' and includes direct quotes from Signorelli himself. While largely aligne
Why objectivity (60): The article has a clear narrative that portrays Signorelli as having distanced himself from the past actions described in the chats. It uses phrases like 'neofasciste' and 'tempo lontano' which carry a certain ideological weight, suggesting a more critical stance towards Signorelli’s past behavior.
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