Italian journalist Sergio Lepri, historic director of Handle, died this Thursday (20), at the age of 102.
Natural of Florença, Lepri has a degree in philosophy and taught in some public schools in Italy. He came to journalism after having directed the newspaper “A Opinião” between 1943 and 1944, during the German occupation.
Professional journalist since 1946, Lepri received several awards and honors throughout his career, mainly for his investigations in the United States and the Soviet Union. Among those already won by the Italian are the “Marzotto” (1953) and “São Vicente” (1956) awards.
After working for some other Italian newspapers, Lepri joined ANSA in 1960 and was appointed co-director in 1961 and director in January 1962, remaining in this position until 1990.
“Sergio Lepri left us, a great journalist and director of our agency from 1962 to 1990. When he hired me, he told me: 'don't ask who you vote for, don't tell me what you write about'. For a journalist this is the most important lesson. Thank you”, wrote Luigi Contu, director of the Italian agency.
to commemorate the 100 years of the journalist, on September 24, 2019, ANSA organized a forum that included the participation of Lepri, Contu and the agency's president, Giulio Anselmi, who was also director from 1997 to 1999.
Lepri, who was spokesman and press chief for former Italian Prime Minister Amintore Fanfani (1908-1999), wrote several books and was a professor from 1988 to 2004 at the Luiss journalism school.
“Sergio Lepri was one of the greatest Italian journalistss, a brilliant example of direct and rigorous journalism that should never go out of fashion, but rather serve as an inspiration for new generations”, said Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence. (Handle)
