An Italian journalist has faced legal consequences for her online comments about Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s height. Giulia Cortese, a Milan-based journalist, was ordered by a court to pay €5,000 in damages to Meloni after mocking her height on social media. This ruling stems from a heated online exchange between the two, sparked by a manipulated image that Cortese posted depicting Meloni alongside the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini on X (formerly Twitter). Meloni reacted strongly to the image, labeling it a “falsified photo” of “unique gravity” and instructing her lawyer to take legal action against the journalist.
Cortese, in subsequent tweets, made further remarks about Meloni’s height, stating, “The media pillory you created on your Facebook page qualifies you for what you are: a little woman,” and “You don’t scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you’re only 1.2 metres (4 ft) tall. I can’t even see you.” While Cortese was ultimately cleared in the case related to the morphed image, the court found her guilty of defaming the Italian prime minister, specifically citing it as an instance of “body shaming.”
Cortese expressed her view on the conviction to The Guardian, stating, “There’s [a] climate of persecution. I don’t feel I have the freedom anymore to write about this government because once you are identified as an inconvenient journalist for this government, they don’t let anything pass.” Meanwhile, Meloni’s lawyer announced that the €5,000 received in damages would be donated to a charitable organization.
This instance is not an isolated event, as Meloni has a history of pursuing legal action against critics who publicly voice dissent. Since assuming office, her administration has been accused of strategically employing defamation lawsuits to silence journalists and public intellectuals. These accusations further fuel concerns about freedom of speech and press freedom in Italy under Meloni’s leadership.
