Women Press Freedom denounces disciplinary action against journalist for exposing censorship

Location: Italy, Rome
Date: July 4, 2024

The suspension of Serena Bortone by Rai's top management is a worrying sign for press freedom within the public broadcaster. Bortone faced disciplinary action for publicly denouncing the censorship of a monologue by a writer on her program. Despite Rai's claims that the monologue was canceled due to a compensation dispute, the internal narrative suggested "editorial reasons" as the cause. This contradiction, combined with the retaliatory removal of Bortone’s program from the upcoming season and her reassignment to less politically sensitive content, indicates repressive measures against journalistic autonomy. Women Press Freedom strongly denounces Rai's punitive measures against Bortone and calls for an urgent review of policies that hinder journalistic freedom and integrity. We stand with Bortone and all journalists who fight against censorship, advocating for a media landscape that robustly supports freedom of expression and holds institutions accountable.

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On July 3, 2024, Serena Bortone, a journalist and presenter, was suspended for six days by her employer, Rai, and subjected to disciplinary proceedings following her public denunciation of the censorship of a writer's monologue.

In April, Bortone revealed on Instagram that Rai had censored a scheduled monologue by writer Antonio Scurati. The monologue was meant to air on her program "Che sarà…", but was abruptly canceled, sparking public controversy and accusations of censorship against Rai.

Rai said the monologue was canceled due to a disagreement on the writer's compensation. Scurati denies this version. An internal communication later revealed that the monologue was suspended due to "editorial reasons."

Rai responded to Bortone’s social media post by initiating disciplinary proceedings against the presenter, citing a breach of the company’s confidentiality agreement.

Rai’s CEO, Roberto Sergio, publicly stated that Bortone should have been fired for her actions, arguing that no employee should speak out against their employer.  

In a move that appears retaliatory, Rai has also decided not to include "Che sarà…" in the upcoming television season. Bortone is expected to transition to a new program on Rai3, focusing more on cultural and lifestyle themes rather than current events. This shift could be seen as an attempt to sideline her from more politically sensitive content.

Despite Rai’s claims of no censorship, the handling of the incident and the disciplinary action against Bortone raise serious concerns about press freedom within the public broadcaster. When journalists are penalized for exposing censorship and holding their employers accountable, it could discourage critical reporting and undermine the public's right to information. 

Women Press Freedom denounces the actions taken against Serena Bortone by Rai. We call for a reassessment of policies at the public broadcaster that inhibit journalistic integrity and independence. Bortone’s suspension should be immediately lifted.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

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 female 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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