Uninchiesta

Uninchiesta is a neologism used in Italian media and political commentary to describe a situation in which an investigation is not conducted or is carried out in a way that lacks independence, transparency, or thoroughness. The term plays on una inchiesta (an investigation) and on the negating sense of the prefix un-, signaling that a proper inquiry has not occurred.

Etymology and orthography: The word combines the familiar noun inchiesta with a negating prefix, creating a sense of a non-investigation. In standard Italian, the proper forms are una inchiesta or un’inchiesta depending on the article and elision. Uninchiesta appears mainly in informal writing, editorial satire, or rhetorical contexts as a deliberate stylistic choice to draw attention to perceived shortcomings in inquiry processes.

Usage and context: Uninchiesta is typically employed in discussions about political scandals, parliamentary probes, or institutional investigations where critics argue that the inquiry is incomplete, biased, or blocked. It is more common in opinion journalism than in formal reporting, and its precise meaning can shift with context—often signaling accountability concerns rather than asserting a factual conclusion about a case.

Reception and limitations: Since uninchiesta is not a standard term, its interpretation relies on the surrounding text. Linguists regard it as a nonce neologism or rhetorical device rather than a fixed lexical entry, used to critique investigative processes or to highlight gaps in transparency and responsibility.

See also: inchiesta, accountability, investigative journalism.