A Milan court ordered journalist Giulia Cortese to pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni 5,000 euros ($5,465) in damages for making fun of her on social media.
The incident involved a tweet deemed “body shaming” by the court.
Cortese’s controversial post on Twitter, now named X, included a jibe about Meloni’s height.
The comment came after a heated online exchange between the two women.
Meloni, who was not the prime minister at the time but a prominent figure in the far-right Brothers of Italy party, took offence when Cortese shared a doctored photo of her with an image of the late fascist leader Benito Mussolini in the background.
The dispute escalated when Cortese responded with further tweets, one of which translated to, “You don’t scare me, Giorgia Meloni.
After all, you’re only 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall. I can’t even see you.”
Various media sources list Meloni’s height between 1.58 meters and 1.63 meters.
In addition to the damages, Cortese received a suspended fine of 1,200 euros.
Following the verdict, she took to X to express her concerns about freedom of expression in Italy.
“Italy’s government has a serious problem with freedom of expression and journalistic dissent,” Cortese wrote.
She also added, “Let’s hope for better days ahead. We won’t give up!”
Meloni’s legal action against Cortese is part of a broader pattern.
Last year, a Rome court fined author Roberto Saviano 1,000 euros plus legal expenses after he insulted Meloni on television over her strict stance on illegal immigration.
Such cases have contributed to Italy’s decline in the World Press Freedom Index, with Reporters Without Borders dropping the country five places to 46th in 2024.
Cortese has the option to appeal the court’s decision. Meanwhile, Meloni’s lawyer stated that any damages awarded would be donated to charity.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between journalists and political figures in Italy, raising questions about the balance between protecting reputations and preserving freedom of expression.
As the debate continues, independent journalists like Cortese remain determined to stand their ground, advocating for the right to critique and question those in power.
