A Milan court has ordered an Italian journalist to pay 5,000 euros in damages to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The reason: she ridiculed them in a social media post.
“You don’t scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you’re only 1.2 meters tall. I can’t even see you.” With these words, journalist Giulia Cortese mocked Meloni’s height on the Twitter platform (now X) in October 2021 – clear “body shaming”, local media reported. The prime minister’s height is listed on various media websites as 1.58 m to 1.63 m.
In addition, the 36-year-old journalist was sentenced to a suspended fine of 1,200 euros. Cortese had published an edited photo of Meloni with a photo of the deceased fascist leader Benito Mussolini in the background. The politician then took legal action against the journalist.
Cortese can appeal the ruling. Meloni’s lawyer said the prime minister would donate any compensation she receives to charity.
“Tough times for independent journalists”
On Thursday, the 36-year-old lamented in English on X that it was a tough time for independent journalists in Italy. “Let’s hope for better days in the future. We won’t give up!” she added.
This is not the first time Meloni has taken journalists to court. Last year, a Rome court fined best-selling author Roberto Saviano 1,000 euros plus court costs after he insulted her on television in 2021 over her tough stance on illegal immigration.
Source: Krone
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