Milan Court Sentences Journalists To Pay IDR 88 Million After High Clashes Of The Italian PM's Body

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. (Instagram @giorgiameloni)

JAKARTA - The Milan court in Italy sentenced a journalist to pay compensation of 5,000 euros or around Rp. 88.6 million after being found guilty of making fun of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on social media (social media).

The journalist named Giulia Cortese considered that there was something wrong in the rules of freedom of expression and opinion rights in Italy.

"The Italian government has serious issues with freedom of expression and journalistic dissent," Giulia wrote in her X account, quoted by CNN via ANSA news agency.

Giulia mocked Meloni's height on her X account in October 2021

Meloni, who at that time served as a top far-right member of the Brothers of Italy party, initially objected to Giulia uploading fake photos of herself with the background of the late fascist leader Benito Mussolini.

Giulia then responded by mentioning Meloni's height.

"You don't scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you are only 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall. I can't even see you," Giulia replied on her social media account.

Meloni then took legal action against the journalist's assessment on social media three years ago.

For the compensation sentence imposed by the court, Giulia is still thinking of filing an appeal.

Giulia said it was a difficult time for independent journalists in Italy. "Let's hope for better days in the future. We will not give up!" he said.