Italy: Rula Jebreal Faces Lawsuit for Criticizing Government
Journalist has faced surveillance, legal threats, and smear campaigns for speaking out against far-right
Location: Italy, Rome
Date: January 10, 2024
Italian-Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal finds herself at the center of a legal battle initiated by politician Fabio Rampelli following a tweet in which she accused him of involvement in a "fascist demonstration." In recent years CFWIJ has documented several cases of public figures in Italy weaponizing defamation legislation to target and silence journalists. Jebreal has been a vocal critic of the far-right Fratelli d'Italia party and has faced years of intimidation, surveillance, and smear campaigns. She tells CFWIJ this legal action is not merely about her, but a broader attempt to stifle dissenting voices. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom denounces attempts by Italian politicians to silence critical journalists through litigation. We call for Fabio Rampelli to drop his case against Jebreal, and to cease using the law to intimidate journalists.
“I feel like they're making an example of me to go after me, to silence other people," says Italian-Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal in response to recent news that Fabio Rampelli, a politician from Fratelli d'Italia (FdI), is filing a lawsuit against her following a critical tweet.
In the contested tweet, Jebreal pointedly criticized the neo-fascist elements within the Italian government, attributing the resurgence of fascism in the country to its leadership. Rampelli, identified as the mentor of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, denies the allegations and urges Jebreal to verify information before spreading what he considers misinformation.
“I feel like they’re making an example of me to go after me, to silence other people”
The legal dispute originates from Jebreal's commentary on the Acca Larentia commemoration, where fascist salutes, including the Roman salute, were displayed by demonstrators. Notably, the government and Prime Minister Meloni's FdI party refrained from condemning these actions, drawing criticism from opposition parties.
Jebreal's remarks should be understood against the backdrop of an alarming trend in Italy — escalating threats and attacks on journalists and critics, especially those critical of the far-right. This intimidation, manifesting as threats, physical assaults, and legal proceedings, poses a significant threat to press safety and independence.
Now residing in the United States, Jebreal has endured years of online smear campaigns and legal threats for speaking out against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her party. The harassment began in 2016 after Jebreal confronted Meloni, then a deputy, about her anti-immigrant and racist ideology. Jebreal tells CFWIJ that members of Meloni's party intensified attacks on her, particularly during their election campaign, portraying her as a threat to Italy's culture and identity.
Journalists of color, like Jebreal, play an important role in holding those in power accountable and voicing concerns of minorities in the country. Legal actions against journalists based on their reporting or expression of opinions can have a stifling effect on free speech and investigative journalism.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom strongly denounces the attempt to sue Rula Jebreal. The Prime Minister and her allies have frequently used the law to threaten and intimidate critical journalists. As members of parliament and leaders of the country, they have a responsibility to uphold press freedom and not use their positions of power to silence critical voices. We are deeply concerned that journalists, particularly journalists of color and those critical of Meloni’s government and its rhetoric and policies toward immigrants and minorities, are being purposefully targeted. We demand the government cease suing journalists and instead address the rise and public display of fascism on the streets of its capital.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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