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A Milan court has ordered an Italian journalist to pay Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni 5,000 euros in damages. The reason: she had made fun of her in a post on social media.

"You don't scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you're only 1.2 meters tall. I can't even see you." With these words, journalist Giulia Cortese mocked Meloni's height on the Twitter platform (now X) in October 2021 - clear body shaming, local media reported. Incidentally, the prime minister's height is given as 1.58 m to 1.63 m on various media websites.

The 36-year-old journalist was also given a suspended fine of 1,200 euros. Cortese had published an edited photo of Meloni with a picture of the deceased fascist leader Benito Mussolini in the background. The politician then took legal action against the journalist.

Cortese can appeal against the verdict. Meloni's lawyer stated that the Prime Minister would donate any compensation she received to charity.

"Tough time for independent journalists"
 On Thursday, the 36-year-old complained on X in English that it was a tough time for independent journalists in Italy. "Let's hope for better days in the future. We will not give up!" she added.

This is not the first time Meloni has dragged journalists to court. Last year, a court in Rome fined bestselling author Roberto Saviano 1,000 euros plus court costs after he insulted her on television in 2021 for her tough stance on illegal immigration.