Fake news on the sea after the flood:victory (and apologies) for Rimini hotels

The court condemns two companies sued for defamation by the hoteliers' association for two posts on social media:they mocked the Romagna sea after the drama of May 2023

by Angela Sannai and Cristina Rossi

RIMINI – The image of a man covered in slime and mud emerging from the water, presented by the comment:“When you enjoy your first swim of the summer at Rimini".And again, the photo of two boys bathing in a sea full of plastic and rubbish preceded by the message:"But forget about Sardinia and Sicily, this year we're going to Rimini, you'll see that there isn't all that difference."These are the posts that infuriated him hoteliers Rimini, which appeared at the end of July 2023 - a few months after the first major flood that brought the Romagna– on some social profiles, Facebook and Instagram.“Fake news” in short to mock the sea conditions in Rimini, in a summer season that is in itself very difficult, like last year, which started late due to the climatic drama.A year and a few months later, today the satisfaction of having received justice finally arrives, with apologies and compensation from those responsible.Here's how it went

FEDERALBERGHI'S COMPLAINT:IT IS DAMAGE TO THE CITY'S IMAGE

Last summer, therefore, a series of memes, images and comments posted on social media made fun of the cleanliness of the sea waters of Rimini, and so Federalberghi Rimini he had done lawsuit for aggravated defamation via social networks against two companies that manage Facebook pages.For the hoteliers' association, in fact, "the managers of the Facebook pages had posted denigrating images and comments on the sea of ​​Rimini, thus causing damage to the image of the city and its tourist economy".The Rimini court then issued two criminal decrees of conviction.One of the companies, in the person of its legal representative, the president of Federalberghi announced today, Patrizia Rinaldis, “did not propose any opposition and therefore the criminal decree has become enforceable, thus giving Federalberghi Rimini the opportunity to promote a possible civil lawsuit for compensation for damages“.The other company (Commenti memorable srl), however, in the person of its legal representative, before the hearing on 23 September "proposed an opposition to the criminal decree and compensated for the damage to its image and it also delivered a letter of apology“.At this point Federalberghi felt it could dismiss the complaint.

“BE AWARE OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA”

Faced with what happened, today the hoteliers' association underlines that "even images conveyed through social media can have legal consequences", and that "the conscious and respectful use of social media is important".Hence the invitation to "all users to avoid spreading false or denigrating information that can damage the reputation of people and places.Social media - reiterates Federalberghi Rimini - must be used responsibly and not for mockery".

THE COMPENSATION RECEIVED TO THE CIVIL PROTECTION

Meanwhile, the compensation obtained, Rinaldis further specifies, "has been handed over to the Civil Protection which is also committed in recent days to providing support to the flooded areas".

THE MAYOR SADEGHOLVAAD PLAUDES FEDERALBERGHI:“HE DEFENDED THE RIMINI BRAND”

For his part, the mayor of Rimini, Jamil Sadegholvaad thanks Federalberghi “for having promoted an action that we shared which was born from the firm will of defend the image of Rimini, especially of its most precious element, our sea".A safeguard "that we carry forward not only in words, but with deeds, through investments and works, in which the city has been engaged for years and which have contributed to enhancing what has always represented the heart of our economy and our identity" , concludes the mayor.“The message that comes from the outcome of this affair regarding the use of social media is also good:a tool to be used in a responsible and conscious manner, aware of the fact that the words and images launched on those platforms are without consequences",