Court Orders Journalist to Pay Meloni

A Milan court has ruled that journalist Giulia Cortese must pay 5,000 euros (approximately $5,411) to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following a social media incident. The case stems from a 2021 tweet in which Cortese shared a manipulated image that depicted Meloni alongside the late dictator Benito Mussolini, sparking a contentious exchange between the two. In addition to the monetary compensation, the court imposed a suspended fine of 1,200 euros (around $1,300) on Cortese for another tweet that was characterized as "body shaming." In this tweet, Cortese made a derogatory comment about Meloni's height, 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." The ruling has raised discussions about the boundaries of political satire and the implications of social media commentary in Italy. Critics argue that the decision could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression, particularly for journalists and public figures who engage in political discourse online. Cortese's case highlights the ongoing tensions in Italian politics, where personal attacks and social media interactions often escalate into legal battles. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this ruling will influence future interactions between politicians and the media in Italy.