An Italian court has mandated a journalist to compensate Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with €5,000 for mockery directed toward her stature via social media platforms, deemed an act of "body shaming".
Journalist Giulia Cortese from Milan was also subjected to a suspended fine worth €1,200 due to the incident dating back to October 2021, preceding Meloni's far-right administration's tenure.
Cortese shared a doctored image of Prime Minister Meloni with Benito Mussolini in the background on Twitter, now X, which incited a response from Meloni via Facebook asserting that it held "unique gravity." The prime minister instructed her counsel to initiate legal proceedings against Cortese.
Subsequent tweets by Cortese accused Meloni of being a "small woman" and highlighted her stature, which the judge in Milan described as constituting "body shaming," leading to Conviction on defamation charges for these remarks.
Cortese expressed dismay over potential consequences from such judicial rulings that might impede her freedom of journalism criticism towards this government, a sentiment echoed by others who feel targeted in their capacity as journalists.
Awaiting an appeal decision, Cortese indicated the financial and legal risks involved with proceeding may outweigh potential benefits, reflecting a broader concern among critics about press freedoms under Meloni's administration.
Meloni has declared that she will allocate the awarded sum to charity when confirmed by the court.
The Prime Minister stands at 1.63 meters tall according to Italian news reports, yet this case is not isolated; her administration has been known for pursuing legal actions against journalists and public figures who have criticized her leadership.
A notable instance involved an anti-mafia writer found guilty of defaming Meloni over migration policy remarks during a television interview in December 2020, resulting in a fine of €1,000.
Additionally, the Prime Minister's government has come under scrutiny for its influence on Italy's state broadcinas well as other media outlets, with several high-profile cases involving censorship and legal action against journalists critical of her administration.
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