Italy. Avezzano’s mayor refrains from suing journalist after clarification

Questo articolo è disponibile anche in:

In a mediation session, Claudio Abruzzo acknowledged that certain terms he used misled readers about the administration’s actions

OSSIGENO, July 3^rd 2025 – The lawsuit filed by the mayor of Avezzano (L’Aquila), Giovanni Di Pangrazio, seeking €200,000 in damages from journalist Claudio Abruzzo, author of two articles deemed defamatory, published on Site.it, a local online newspaper for which the journalist is a contributor (see details here), was concluded before it even began, thanks to a clarification between the parties. The agreement was reached in a mediation session held on May 23^rd 2025.

OSSIGENO congratulates the mayor on this successful conclusion due to the merit of both parties and is pleased with the outcome which is precisely what Ossigeno had publicly advocated from the outset. This form of resolution is always the best, as it permits  immediate reputational restoration, avoids lengthy trials, and saves considerable legal costs. This solution is always possible when each party demonstrates a reasonable interest in discussing the merits of the case and one is willing to vitiate  the damage from the alleged defamation by publicly clarifying the meaning of one’s assertions.

THE AGREEMENT – Based on the agreement reached in Avezzano, Claudio Abruzzo expressed his regret for the incident and clarified that, for the content reported in the contested articles, published on January 7^th  and 9^th  2025, he drew on material  from several posts published on the personal Facebook profile of Dr. Loreta Ruscio, former City Councillor for Personnel, from the relevant legislation, from documents officially published , and from his own assessments of local administrative processes. Acknowledging the observations made by the Avezzano Municipal Administration and taking into account the public reaction highlighted by the comments noted at the bottom of the articles published on social media, Abruzzo accepted that some of the terms he used misled some readers, resulting in a distorted perception of the actions of the Municipal Administration and the departments involved. For this reason, he expressed formal and sincere regret. Pursuant to the agreement signed, these statements were published on the newspaper site.it.

DAVID AND GOLIATH – The disproportionate power between the plaintiff and the defendant is an issue that always arises in defamation proceedings brought by a public body against a single journalist, usually against the author of the contested article alone, omitting the newspaper for which he writes. This way of proceeding isolates the journalist and imposes on the journalist defence costs that should be borne by his or her publisher. How can these forms of legal zeroing in  be avoided ? This is one of the many issues that a true reform of the current libel laws should address. But that’s something that will have to wait for more auspicious times. In the meantime, Ossigeno’s Legal Aid Desk is open to provide advice and opinions and to help freelancers access  legal services. ASP

Read here the previous article on this case

Read here of other SLAPP and frivolous lawsuit cases