A Milan court has ruled in favor of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a legal dispute with journalist Giulia Cortese, ordering Cortese to pay damages for mocking Meloni’s height on social media. This decision comes amid ongoing debates over freedom of expression and the responsibilities of journalists in public discourse.
Cortese, in October 2021, posted tweets on Twitter that were considered “body shaming” towards Meloni, commenting on her height with remarks like, “you don’t scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you’re only 1.2 meters tall. I can’t even see you.” Meloni, who is approximately between 1.58 meters and 1.63 meters tall according to various sources, took legal action against Cortese, claiming the posts were offensive and unacceptable.
This case underscores broader concerns regarding the boundaries of free speech and the obligations of journalists when discussing public figures. Meloni, leader of Italy’s far-right Brothers of Italy party, was in opposition at the time of the incident, highlighting the contentious nature of political discourse in Italy.
Cortese has the option to appeal the court’s decision. In response, Meloni’s lawyer stated that any damages received would be donated to charity.
This ruling adds to a growing number of legal disputes involving journalists in Italy, reflecting tensions between media freedom and governmental oversight. Italy’s position in press freedom rankings has also faced scrutiny, with concerns raised about increasing legal actions against journalists.
