Journalist defends expose of best-selling author Elena Ferrante

The Italian journalist who claims to have exposed the identity of best-selling author Elena Ferrante has defended his investigation as having debunked "lies" about her background and contributed to knowledge about her work.

Claudio Gatti, an investigative reporter with Italy's Il Sole 24 Ore business daily, said he did not solve any real mystery since Ferrante's true identity was an open secret in Italy's literary circles.