France: CFWIJ and WPF Demands Apology from Michel Drucker for Sexist Comments Towards Women Sports Journalists

Outrage ensues as the veteran journalist faces criticism for his remarks on the pervasive issue of sexist bullying in sports journalism, sparking a larger conversation on gender equality in the industry.

Location: Paris, France
Date: January 13, 2024

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is deeply disturbed by veteran French journalist Michel Drucker’s unacceptable remarks towards women sports journalists. This incident, which occurred during an episode of France 2's "Quelle époque," highlights a severe and pervasive issue within our industry – the continuous struggle against sexism and discrimination. Drucker's comments, directed towards Marie Portolano and referencing her impactful report "I'm not a slut, I'm a journalist," are not just personally offensive to the women involved, but they also undermine the broader fight for gender equality in journalism. This report courageously shed light on the distressing experiences of 18 women sports journalists at major French television networks, including Canal+, TF1, and France Télévisions, who faced sexist bullying. Such remarks by Drucker not only belittle their experiences but also perpetuate a dangerous culture that discourages women from pursuing or persisting in careers in journalism. We express our unwavering support for the women sports journalists who were targeted with sexist comments by Michel Drucker and denounce the targeting of women journalists with misogynistic remarks. We demand a public apology from Drucker, as well as accountability for his actions.

During the January 13 episode of "Quelle époque," Marie Portolano discussed her co-presentation of "Télématin" with Thomas Sotto on France 2. Renowned host of “Vivement Dimanche”, Michel Drucker, however, started making insidious remarks towards Portolano about her report titled "I'm not a slut, I'm a journalist," which exposed the sexist bullying experienced by 18 women sports journalists in major French television networks. The report was published in late 2021.

“Did you really suffer with your sports friends?” Drucker questioned Portolano.

Vanessa Le Moigne and Charlotte Namura, featured in the report, expressed their discontent on social media.

Namura, a former columnist of Téléfoot, had previously accused host Denis Brogniart of harassment and intimidation on the sets of TF1's Sunday magazine. She expressed her dissatisfaction with Drucker's remarks, questioning the implications behind his words. In a social media post Namura asks, "What does all this REALLY imply in his question?"

Le Moigne, a colleague of Namura's at the BeIn Sports channel, also joined in the protest against Drucker's comments. She criticized the veteran journalist, stating, "Really, Michel Drucker? We can discuss, if you wish, how your generation poorly educated another... It's true, it was worse when you were a sports journalist. Thoughts for Marianne Mako," referring to the late journalist who faced sexism and misogyny during her career.

Mako, the first woman journalist on a sports show, endured derogatory remarks from Thierry Roland, who was displeased with the idea of working alongside a woman in the field. In 1997, Mako was fired after a decade on the show, much to the delight of Roland, who had claimed in a book that Mako caused "lots of disasters" and that the show "wasn't really intended for women journalists." Over two decades later, journalist Gérald Holtz revealed that Roland, who passed away in 2008, had orchestrated Mako's dismissal, stating that he did not want "any women for football."

The controversy surrounding Drucker's comments has ignited a broader conversation about the treatment of women sports journalists and the need for greater gender equality in the industry. As the voices of Namura, Le Moigne, and others grow louder, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the ongoing fight against sexism and discrimination in sports journalism.

Drucker's remarks not only undermine the professionalism and credibility of these women journalists but also perpetuate a culture of sexism and discrimination within the industry. Such behavior is unacceptable and goes against the principles of equality and respect that should be upheld in journalism.

It is crucial that those in positions of influence, like Drucker, are held accountable for their words and actions. By making derogatory comments, they contribute to an environment that discourages women from pursuing careers in journalism and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

The Coalition for Women in Journalism and Women Press Freedom stands firmly behind all the women sports journalists discriminated against either sexism and misogyny. We condemn these acts of aggression against women sports journalists who are fulfilling their professional duties. We call on Michel Drucker to publicly apologize for his remarks and take responsibility for the impact of his words. Additionally, we urge media organizations and industry leaders to address this issue seriously and take proactive measures to ensure a safe and inclusive working environment for all journalists, regardless of their gender.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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