Stefania Battistini is an Italian journalist born in Milan in 1977, who has built a solid career at RAI. With a degree in Communication Sciences, she established herself as a war reporter, working in dangerous areas like Kurdistan, Syria, and more recently, Ukraine. Her field experience has made her a prominent figure in Italian journalism, often exposing herself to serious risks, such as the time in 2017 when she was threatened by an armed man during a report.
The Kursk Incident and Russian Reactions
Recently, Battistini gained international attention for her report from the Kursk region in Russia, an area occupied by Ukrainian forces, together with cameraman Simone Traini. Their work, carried out with the assistance of the Ukrainian army, angered Russian authorities, who have opened criminal proceedings against the two journalists for allegedly crossing the Russian border illegally. Russia reacted swiftly, summoning the Italian ambassador in Moscow and accusing the journalists of illegal activities. In response to these threats, RAI decided to temporarily bring Battistini and Traini back to Italy, citing personal safety concerns.
International Solidarity and Battistini’s Determination
Despite the serious charges brought by Russia, the international community and various Italian journalistic bodies have expressed solidarity with Stefania Battistini and her colleague, emphasizing that journalism is not a crime. The Italian journalists’ union has openly criticized Moscow’s actions, defending the right of journalists to report facts without restrictions or prior authorizations.
Me la sono cercata
Stefania Battistini has shown exemplary courage and professionalism, which some may view as controversial, but which testify to her extraordinary determination to pursue the truth, even at the risk of her own safety. In this context, it can be said that yes, Stefania Battistini “Se l’è cercata” but in the noblest sense: she sought the truth, challenged danger, and chose to continue her work with integrity and courage.
