On March 21, 2021, Marie Portolano created controversy with a documentary broadcast on Canal+ and called I’m not a bitch, I’m a journalist. In the latter, the former sports journalist from the private group returned to the place of women in the world of sports journalism, and questioned several female journalists about the sexist attacks they suffered during their careers. Among the speakers, Nathalie Iannetta, Isabelle Ithurburu, Isabelle Moreau, Laurie Delhostal and Estelle Denis. A report with serious consequences, which notably targeted the behavior and serious remarks of Pierre Ménèswhich, following this report, was targeted by an internal investigation, which led to a first removal from the air, then a dismissal.
Guest of What era this Saturday January 13, 2024 alongside Thomas Sotto to promote their morning show Telematinnow facing Bruce Toussaint on TF1, Marie Portolano was stung by Michel Drucker. The host of Looking forward to Sunday, who is celebrating his 60th career this year, started in the sports department of France Télévisions, and worked there for many years. He notably commented on the Olympic Games but also on numerous Tours de France. The professional seems to have bad memories of this documentary, which according to him, stigmatizes male journalists and makes them seem sexist and misogynistic: “It’s the former sports reporter who’s talking to you there, Marie. Did you really suffer with your sports friends, the sports guys? They really have inappropriate attitudes, really?”asked Michel Drucker.
Marie Portolano embarrassed, she blames her other sisters who have not spoken
Embarrassed, Marie Portolano seems to have been somewhat surprised by the tone of the question, and the doubts of her colleague, but nevertheless wanted to point out that 18 women testified in his documentary : “I’m not the only one to say it, there are 18 of us testifying in this documentary and that I could have gone and looked for more sisters“ said the journalist who left Canal+ following this shocking report to join M6 – a channel she left at the end of last season for Télématin. Marie Portolano returned a few seconds later to the relationship she had with Paul de Saint-Sernin, who, today a columnist for What erawas formerly the journalist’s colleague when they both worked for the Canal+ sports department: “Never! I really like Paul. We’ve known each other for a very long time.”
️ “I could have looked for the testimony of other sisters” in her documentary “I am not a slut” on sexism in sports journalism, reveals Marie Portolano #QuelleEpoque@FranceTV@LeaSalamepic.twitter.com/7IVUxzEs60
— What an era! (@QuelleEpoqueOff) January 13, 2024