Donato Bendicenti: thirty years of journalism between politics and Europe

(Image source: Instagram profile @donatobendicenti)

Telling politics with a european perspective
Donato Bendicenti is one of the most well-known faces in Italian and European political journalism. With over thirty years of experience, he has closely followed key moments in national and international politics, working for Tg1 and later as head of the Rai bureau in Brussels. He has reported from behind the scenes of European institutions and hosted in-depth programs such as La Bussola and Il Transatlantico, with the aim of making politics more accessible to the general public.
In our interview, Bendicenti takes us through his journey, from his early experiences at a local television station to his current role in Brussels. He shares the challenges of an ever-evolving journalism field and offers advice to young people looking to pursue this career.

It all started by chance, but journalism became his life
Elisa Zuliani: How did your interest in journalism begin?
Donato Bendicenti: It started quite casually. I had the opportunity to gain some initial experience at a private Roman television station, Teleroma Europa, which worked with Il Sole 24 Ore. They asked me to try reading some news on screen: the test went well, and that’s how it all began.
E.Z. Was there a particularly significant moment in your career?
D.B. Rather than a single moment, there were certain professional seasons that marked me. The first years at Tg1 Mattino were crucial: that’s where I learned to handle any type of news, from politics to crime, from sports to international events. Another important period was when I followed Palazzo Chigi during the first Prodi government. Working as a reporter in those years meant facing major logistical and technological challenges: you had to meet broadcast deadlines without room for error, even if you were on the other side of the world.

From reporter to head of the Rai bureau for radio and television news services in Brussels

E.Z. How does your work change when transitioning from being a special correspondent to leading the Rai bureau in Brussels?
D.B. It’s a transformation that requires balancing the journalistic side with the organizational one. Brussels is one of Rai’s busiest bureaus: every day, we receive continuous requests from television newscast and programs. My day starts at 6 in the morning and often ends only after 8 PM. The main challenge is not only keeping up with the news but also interpreting it in its European context and making it understandable to the Italian public.

E.Z. You have hosted several political talk shows. What is the key to making politics accessible?
D.B. The key is in the language: you need to be simple without being superficial. Explaining politics also means anticipating which topics will become relevant over time. For example, when discussing European regulations on artificial intelligence, it was clear that it wasn’t just a technical issue, but a change that would have a direct impact on people’s lives. A good journalist must be able to identify these elements and tell the story the right way.

Advice for young journalists
E.Z. What is the most important advice you would give to someone wanting to pursue this career?
D.B. Study: solid skills and a deep knowledge of languages are essential. Today, those working in journalism need to be able to access sources directly in English, French, Spanish, or German. And then, you need to dive in: don’t be afraid to put yourself forward and experiment. The world of information is changing rapidly, and anyone in their twenties today has a natural advantage in mastering new tools and communication methods.

Bendicenti is proof that journalism is not just a job but a constant commitment to telling the truth with rigor and passion. For anyone dreaming of pursuing this career, his journey is an inspiration: from the first seemingly accidental step to the heart of European reporting.