Italian Journalist Fined 5,000 Euros Over Height Jibe Against PM Giorgia Meloni

A Milan court has ordered journalist Giulia Cortese to pay Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni 5,000 euros ($5,465) in damages for mocking her on social media. The legal action stemmed from a Twitter clash between the two, which began when Meloni published a mocked-up photo of herself with an exaggerated height. In response, Cortese tweeted that she didn't scare her because of Meloni's short stature, measuring 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall. Cortese was also given a suspended fine of €1,200. This is not the first time Meloni has taken journalists to court for their comments about her. Reporters Without Borders has previously demoted Italy on its World Press Freedom Index due to concerns over government interference with the media.