Marie Portolano faces defamation trial in Paris

Journalist Marie Portolano is scheduled to appear before the 17th chamber of the Paris Criminal Court on September 7 regarding a defamation lawsuit filed by Pierre Ménès. The legal dispute stems from Portolano’s March 2024 book, ‘Je suis la femme du plateau’, in which she describes experiencing sexual assault in 2016 while working at Canal+.

Ménès has specifically targeted two passages in the book. In the first, Portolano describes an unnamed man’s non-consensual behavior toward women around him. In the second, she writes, ‘He admits that he did it.’ While Portolano does not name him directly in these excerpts, Ménès contends that the descriptions allow him to be identified.

The case involves former colleagues from Canal+. Portolano’s work addresses systemic sexism and sexual violence faced by women in sports media. The hearing may face delays, as Ménès’s legal counsel has requested a postponement due to a scheduled medical appointment in Rennes.