Up to 9yrs for journalists who defame public officials

(ANSA) - Rome, May 25 - The government's bill to combat intimidation of public officials would make journalists found guilty of defaming elected officials liable for prison sentences of up to nine years.
    Italy's current anti-defamation law dates back to 1948, and calls for prison sentences of 1-6 years for media slander and libel. The current reform would add three years to the maximum sentence if the media defamation was committed against "a member of a political, administrative, or judicial body during the course of their mandate, functions, or service".
    The Senate justice committee approved the bill on May 3, and it is now before the Senate