Roberto Saviano defamation verdict against Italy PM a blow to free speech

In a verdict that has sent shockwaves through Italy’s literary and journalistic circles, renowned author and PEN award winner Roberto Saviano was found guilty of defaming Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. The ruling, handed down by Rome’s criminal court, came with a €1,000 (£865 / $1,054) fine and a sense of foreboding for free speech in the country.

Saviano, acclaimed for his work, including the novel “Gomorrah,” had faced legal action after he called politicians who questioned the need to save lives at sea “bastards” during a television appearance in December 2020. Meloni, who had previously described NGO rescue boats as “traffickers” that should be sunk, took offense and filed a defamation lawsuit against Saviano.

The defamation verdict: how it threatens free expression

The verdict, which ordered Saviano to pay a fine, left many concerned about the implications for free expression in Italy. In response to the judgment, Saviano took to Twitter, stating, “Sea taxis, naval blockades, ethnic substitution, invasion: the trial served to establish that these infamies, uttered in over 10 years of propaganda against migrants, must be attributed to Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic. You introduced all this rubbish into the public debate, spreading fear.”

He continued, “This sentence is dangerous because it bears traces of intimidation and suggests that those who do my job observe religious silence to protect their projects… It is a dangerous sentence pronounced in a country dangerously exposed to hatred.”

Saviano’s conviction comes as a blow to free speech advocates in Italy and worldwide. PEN International, a global organisation that promotes literature and defends freedom of expression, stood in solidarity with Saviano throughout the legal proceedings.

Why is Roberto Saviano famous?

Renowned for his seminal work "Gomorrah," Roberto Saviano has left an indelible mark on the world of investigative journalism and anti-mafia activism. First published in 2006, the book swiftly soared to the status of a global bestseller, boasting an impressive 10 million copies sold worldwide and translations into more than 50 languages. This groundbreaking exposé offers a gritty, unvarnished portrayal of the inner workings of the Camorra crime syndicate in Italy. Within its pages, Saviano unveils the sprawling criminal empire of the Camorra, delving into its activities, which encompass drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, and murder. He also delves deep into the labyrinthine connections between the Camorra and Italy's economy and government.

However, Saviano's courageous undertaking came at a high personal cost. The publication made him a prime target of the very crime organisation he had unveiled. Since 2006, he has lived under constant police protection. Nevertheless, he remains unwavering in his commitment to confront organised crime head-on. Saviano's steadfast voice in the fight against the mafia has not only resonated within Italy but has also reverberated globally, shedding light on this pervasive issue.

Beyond "Gomorrah," Saviano has authored several other incisive works on organised crime, such as "Zero Zero Zero" and "Piranhas." His journalistic and essayistic contributions have graced the pages of leading newspapers and magazines worldwide. 

PEN International stands in solidarity with Saviano

Representatives from PEN International, Sabrina Tucci and Georgia Beeston, attended the hearing, expressing their support for Saviano and other writers and journalists facing vexatious lawsuits in Italy and beyond. PEN International President Burhan Sonmez condemned the verdict, stating that the organisation “utterly condemns the sentencing of Roberto Saviano as an alarming setback for free speech. Today’s verdict highlights the urgent need for legal reforms to protect our voices.”

Sonmez further expressed concern about the lawsuit being initiated by Italy’s Prime Minister, stating, “That the lawsuit was initiated by Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister, is of the utmost concern, and sends a dangerous warning to writers and journalists across the country that their words could see them on trial for years, financially burdened, emotionally damaged, and possibly sent to jail.”

Urgent calls for legal reforms in Italy

Saviano is not the only writer facing such legal battles, but he also faces a separate criminal defamation case brought by Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini for remarks he made about Salvini during a speech. Thus the outcome of these cases raises significant concerns about the state of free speech in Italy.

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In light of these developments, PEN International has called for the repeal of all criminal defamation laws in Italy and the dropping of all remaining charges against Saviano. They argue that criminal defamation lawsuits have a chilling effect on free expression, discouraging investigative journalism and stifling democracy.

Hence, as Italy grapples with these challenges to free speech, the world watches closely, hoping that the nation will uphold its commitment to protecting freedom of expression and the rights of writers and journalists to speak truth to power.