ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A Milan court has ordered journalist Giulia Cortese to pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni €5,000 (approximately $5,400) in damages for mocking her height in a social media post. The court classified the incident, which took place in October 2021, as “body shaming.” In addition to the damages, Cortese received a suspended fine of €1,200 ($1,300) for her comment on Twitter, now called X.
Reacting to the verdict on X, Cortese wrote, “Italy’s government has a serious problem with freedom of expression and journalistic dissent.” The legal battle between Meloni and Cortese began three years ago when they clashed on social media. At the time, Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party was in opposition. The conflict escalated when Cortese posted a doctored photo of Meloni with an image of the late fascist leader Benito Mussolini in the background.
Cortese’s subsequent tweets included one that read, “you don’t scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you’re only 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall. I can’t even see you.” Media sources list Meloni’s height as between 1.58 meters (5 feet 2 inches) and 1.63 meters (5 feet 4 inches). Cortese can appeal the sentence, and Meloni’s lawyer has stated that any damages awarded will be donated to charity.
Writing in English on X, Cortese commented on the challenging environment for independent journalists in Italy, saying, “Let’s hope for better days ahead. We won’t give up!” Reporters Without Borders highlighted the high number of lawsuits against journalists in Italy, ranking the country 46th in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, a drop of five places.
Meloni is known for taking legal action against journalists. Last year, a Rome court fined best-selling author Roberto Saviano €1,000 ($1,088) plus legal expenses after he insulted her on television in 2021 over her hardline stance on illegal immigration.
Cortese’s case is a stark reminder of the difficulties faced by journalists in Italy, where freedom of expression and dissent appear increasingly under threat. Her defiant message resonates with those who believe in the vital role of independent journalism in a democratic society.
