Overview

• Giulia Cortese ordered to pay €5,000 in damages and a suspended fine of €1,200.
• The posts included derogatory comments about Meloni's height and a doctored image with Mussolini.
• Cortese and critics argue the ruling reflects a crackdown on journalistic dissent.
• Meloni's lawyer announced the damages will be donated to charity.
• Italy's press freedom ranking has declined amid increasing lawsuits against journalists.