In 2020, from the Piazza Pulita studio, on La7, during an episode in which they talked about the tragedies of migrants who die in the Mediterranean, Giorgia Meloni, then just a parliamentarian and not yet prime minister, was called a “bastard”. Specifically, an insult for which Roberto Saviano was tried for defamation. Yesterday he was convicted by the monocratic court in Rome, which imposed a fine of one thousand euros. Deputy prosecutor Pietro Pollidori asked for ten thousand euros. The judge considered that the correct sum was ten times less. He also recognized the general mitigating circumstances, including that of having acted “for reasons of particular moral value”, declaring the suspension of the sentence and no mention in the criminal record. But his defender, lawyer Antonio Nobile, announced an appeal.
The writer always maintained that using a word like this to define a person was his legitimate right to criticize. He also claimed yesterday, before and after the conviction. When he still did not know the outcome of the trial, he made spontaneous statements in the courtroom. «I find Giorgia Meloni’s behavior intimidating. Despite the absurdity of being put on trial by the Prime Minister for criticizing her, there is no greater honor that can be given to a writer than to see his own words frighten such a deceitful power.” Then he continued: «Can political power defend yourself not in the trial, but in the trial? I claim the legitimacy of my criticism. When one day we ask ourselves how it was possible to let all these people drown in the sea, my name will not be among those of accomplices. Today – he said – I am here without Michela Murgia, who has always been by my side. Are we really accepting that political power demands that the judicial power delimit the period in which a writer can circulate? It is so difficult to understand the disproportion between those who have political power and those who only have the word? I am used to paying a price for every word. It is important that the court knows that the choice has been made.
Preventing dissent means attacking the beating heart of democracy.” What was judged yesterday, however, was not the freedom or otherwise of criticism. But whether certain terms, specifically “bastarta”, constituted defamation or not. After being ordered to pay a light fine, Saviano went further: “Losing today is an example of what will happen tomorrow, it leads us even more to understand the situation we live in, with an executive power that continually tries to intimidate those who tell their lies. Today I am proud to Having made that judgment, the judge recognized a moral aspect and it made me smile. I have noticed a lot in recent months the continued attempt, just look at the cancellation of the broadcast, of this government to stop and intimidate not everyone, but only those whose voice they fear Exactly as Orbán does – he added – the civil party asked for 75 thousand euros: one of the objectives of this government is to impose economic hands on those who challenge them. This political machine will not stop. I still have tests with Salvini and his friends.
I’m not giving up on these gangs.”
It’s a raging river: «This phrase is symbolic but it is the beginning of something else. This gang uses the instrument of trials to combat those who criticize them. As far as I’m concerned, I despise this government, since the current representatives were in opposition, with regard to their positions on women and migrants.” The response from lawyer Luca Libra, Giorgia Meloni’s lawyer, is ready: « Bastard is not a criticism, but always an insult, even for the dictionary it is always a derogatory term. Even for the Court of Cassation, the right to criticize cannot go beyond the use of terms and respect for people.” According to the lawyer, “to say that Giorgia Meloni is stalking someone is absolutely false. The defendant used excessive, vulgar and aggressive language; it is possible to criticize but no one is above the criminal code”, added Libra, who at the end of his intervention asked for compensation of 75 thousand euros plus a provisional value of no less than 50 thousand euros.
Source: IL Tempo

Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.