Italians Face Criminal Charges for Negative Facebook Post, TripAdvisor Review

Watch what you say online — it could get you in trouble

That's the lesson two Italian women learned this week, after facing criminal charges for publishing a sarcastic Facebook post and a negative TripAdvisor review in two separate incidents

The women face defamation charges in separate criminal complaints, according to local media reports. Defamation carries a maximum penalty, on conviction, of one year in prison and a fine of around 1,000 euros ($1,400), according to Italian law.

The first case involves former journalist Marina Morpurgo, who saw a controversial advertising campaign for a professional school in the city of Foggia, and aired her criticisms on Facebook. The poster featured a young girl applying heavy makeup, and the slogan, "I want to be a beautician." Read more...