Lawsuits. 11 magistrates have sought €1.5 million in damages from two daily newspapers

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This has happened over the last six years – Journalists from the two newspapers revealed this at a conference, calling for a new law

OSSIGENO 15 May 2026 – During a public meeting entitled ‘Against intimidating lawsuits, for press freedom’, held on 14 May 2026 in Rome in the Sala Capranichetta and attended by MPs, journalists and magistrates, journalist Aldo Torchiaro, editor of the daily newspaper ‘ Riformista’, listed the names of eleven magistrates who, over the last six years, have sued ‘Riformista’ and ‘L’Unità’, initiating 23 legal proceedings with a total claim of one million 550 thousand euros in damages for defamation. To combat the abuse of lawsuits for the purpose of intimidation, the conference called for a new law that better respects the right to information. Below is the report on the proceedings published by Adnkronos news agency.

JOURNALISTS: ‘STOP FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS’, ‘IL RIFORMISTA’ AND ‘L’UNITÀ’ LAUNCH PROPOSALS FOR A NEW LAW = Debate with MPs, magistrates and journalists at the Sala Capranichetta in Rome, 14 May 2026. (Adnkronos) – Launching a joint campaign against frivolous lawsuits, with the aim of securing a new law: ‘Il Riformista’ and ‘L’Unità’ opened the debate today alongside MPs, journalists and magistrates during a meeting entitled ‘Against intimidating lawsuits, for press freedom’ at the Sala Capranichetta in Rome. At the heart of the discussion was the balance between press freedom and everyone’s right to protect their reputation, as well as the difficulties faced by journalists who, in carrying out their work and reporting on reality, all too often find themselves grappling with defamation lawsuits. These include lawsuits brought by magistrates: Aldo Torchiaro, a journalist with *Il Riformista*, put the phenomenon into context, providing figures and the names of 11 magistrates who have sued *Il Riformista* and *L’Unità*, with 23 cases brought over six years and 1,550,000 in fines sought. “Most defamation lawsuits are dismissed or won by journalists; the vast majority of defamation lawsuits brought by magistrates, however, go to trial and are then, not infrequently, won by the magistrates. This mechanism is very curious,” said Torchiaro, adding: “We want to organise an event to put forward proposals and ideas for discussion. We need a new law.” Among the proposals at the heart of new legislation are: discouraging frivolous defamation claims in the press; no criminal conviction should be handed down without establishing the falsity of the allegations; in the absence of malicious intent, no civil conviction should be handed down; establishing proportionate and clear parameters for any financial penalties based on the actual damage suffered; revising the upper limit on financial penalties; and reaffirming the equality of all citizens, whether in the judiciary or not, in defamation convictions. Piero Sansonetti, editor-in-chief of *l’Unità*, emphasised that “the rule of law cannot function if the pluralistic media system does not function”. “Legal actions are justified; the problem arises when such actions are used by those in power as a tool to intimidate and restrict the freedom of another branch of power, namely that of the press,” he observed. “This occurs in particular when it is the political and judicial branches that seek to intimidate the press.” Claudio Velardi, editor-in-chief of *Il Riformista*, stated that “journalism wields enormous power” and that “together with the political and judicial branches, these three powers are in constant confrontation”. “All three of these powers must bear their share of responsibility,” he noted, calling for an update to the regulations through a “coalition between magistrates, politicians and journalists”. It was no coincidence that representatives from the worlds of politics and the media, as well as the Secretary-General of the National Magistrates’ Association (ANM), Rocco Maruotti, took the floor during the debate. (Adnkronos) ISSN 2465 – 1222 14 May 26 15:22 NNNN