Meloni: Journalist pays Italian PM €5,000 over defamation

An Italian court sitting in Milan has ordered a journalist, Giulia Cortese, to pay the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, 5,000 euros as fine for mocking her in a social media post in 2021.

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

Cortese posted a manipulated photo of her with a background image of the late fascist leader Benito Mussolini during Italy’s World War II era, which Meloni found offensive.

Cortese responded with additional tweets and in one of them, she stated:

“You don’t intimidate me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you’re only 1.2 meters tall. I can’t even see you.”

Available evidence, meanwhile, shows that Meloni’s height is between 1.58m and 1.63m.

Italy has witnessed numerous legal cases involving journalists during Meloni’s tenure.

She is also noted for initiating lawsuits against journalists and authors herself.

Journalists have protested against the stifling of free speech.

In May of this year, Italian state broadcaster RAI went on strike to oppose what protesters called ‘suffocating control’ over media under Meloni ‘s regime.

Suffocating control

‘Suffocating control’ refers to stringent regulations or practices that severely restrict freedom of expression, speech, or media operations.

It implies a heavy-handed approach by authorities that limits independent journalism, stifles dissenting opinions, or imposes strict censorship measures.

In the context of media, it suggests an environment where journalists face significant barriers or threats to their ability to report freely and critically.

Does Meloni exercise suffocating control?

The Milan court ruled against the journalist who mocked Meloni over her height on Twitter or another platform.

The decision highlighted the legal and social repercussions of expressing opinions that could be seen as offensive or inappropriate.

In the context of “suffocating control,” it suggests that such rulings might be seen as part of broader societal or governmental efforts to regulate or limit certain types of speech or behavior.

This term implies that there are pressures (suffocating) placed on individuals or media to adhere to certain norms (control).

Such legal actions show example of how influential individuals seek to control criticism, potentially stifling freedom of expression.

It raises questions about the balance between protecting individual dignity and ensuring freedom of speech.

Tension is reportedly often present in discussions about media freedom and governmental control.

Who is Giorgia Meloni?

Giorgia Meloni is the current Italian Prime Minister, the first woman to ever hold this position.

She has been serving as the prime minister of Italy since October 2022.

Meloni has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies since 2006 and has led the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) political party since 2014.

Additionally, she has been the president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party since 2020.

Forbes ranked her as the fourth most powerful woman in the world in 2023.

Key Facts about Giorgia Meloni

• Meloni is notorious for attacking world leaders, for example French President Emmanuel Macron, who dares to cast aspersion on Italy.
• Party Affiliation: She is a member of the right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, which she has led since 2014.
• European Conservatives and Reformists Party: She has been the president of this party since 2020.
• Rankings: Forbes ranked Meloni as the fourth most powerful woman in the world in 2023.
• She was listed among the most influential people in the world in 2024 by Time magazine.
• Political Career: Meloni has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies since 2006 and has held various positions, including Minister of Youth from 2008 to 2011.
• Leadership: She led FdI in opposition during the entire 18th Italian legislature and became Prime Minister after FdI won the 2022 Italian general election.

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