Journalist Fined for Height Jibe Against Italian PM Meloni

A Milan court has ordered journalist Giulia Cortese to pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni 5,000 euros in damages for body shaming over her height on social media. Cortese was also given a suspended fine of 1,200 euros. Meloni plans to donate the damages to charity.

A Milan court has mandated that journalist Giulia Cortese pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni 5,000 euros in damages for body-shaming her on social media, as reported by ANSA and other local media.

Cortese was also handed a suspended fine of 1,200 euros for her Twitter jibe in October 2021 regarding Meloni's height, which was deemed 'body shaming.' In response to the verdict, Cortese tweeted about the Italian government's serious issues with freedom of expression and dissent in journalism.

The legal action stemmed from a social media clash three years ago when Cortese published a mocked-up photo of Meloni alongside a picture of the late fascist leader Benito Mussolini. Meloni's lawyer indicated that any damages received would be donated to charity.

(With inputs from agencies.)