"Body Shaming" Italian PM Giorgia Meloni: Milan Court Orders Journalist To Pay Rs 4.5 Lakh Fine

A court in Italy's Milan has ordered journalist Giulia Cortese to pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni damages of 5,000 euros ($5,465) for mocking her in a social media post.

Cortese was also handed a suspended fine of 1,200 euros for a Twitter post in October 2021 for mocking Meloni's height, which was deemed "body shaming".

In response to the verdict, Cortese tweeted on Thursday, "Italy's government has a serious problem with freedom of expression and journalistic dissent."

Meloni initiated legal action against Cortese after a social media clash three years ago.

At that time, Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party was in opposition.

The dispute began when Cortese published a mocked-up photo of Meloni with an image of fascist leader Benito Mussolini in the background.

Cortese further antagonized Meloni with tweets including one stating, "you don't scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you're only 1.2 metres (4 feet) tall. I can't even see you."

Various media sources list Meloni's height between 1.58 m and 1.63 m.

Cortese has the option to appeal the sentence. Meloni's lawyer said that any damages awarded would be donated to charity.

In a tweet written in English on Thursday, Cortese expressed the challenges faced by independent journalists in Italy, saying, "Let's hope for better days ahead. We won't give up!"

A high number of lawsuits brought against journalists was cited this year by Reporters Without Borders, which relegated Italy five places to 46th in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index.

Meloni is known for taking legal action against journalists.

Last year, a Rome court fined best-selling author Roberto Saviano 1,000 euros plus legal expenses after he insulted her on television in 2021 over her hardline stance on illegal immigration.

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