The Eurosceptic party, led by Luigi Di Maio, made the demand after the ruling Democratic Party (PD) accused 5-Star supporters of using interlinked internet accounts to spread misinformation in an attempt to smear the centre-left government.
Mr Di Maio, who was elected 5 Star leader in September, said his party was often misrepresented by the traditional media and said the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should oversee the forthcoming election.
He said in a Facebook message: ”The problem of fake news exists and we think it is necessary to have the OSCE monitor news and political debate during the election campaign.”
However it appears that opponents of the renegade political party are unlikely to give the demand much heed, who blame the party for a number of smear campaigns.
Last week unofficial Facebook accounts that back 5-Star published a photograph purportedly showing a close ally of PD leader Matteo Renzi attending the funeral of Mafia boss Salvatore Riina.
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In fact it was a photo taken in 2016 at the funeral of a murdered migrant.
Mr Renzi told a conference today: “Di Maio says he wants to call up OSCE monitors.
“Why doesn’t he call up UN peacekeepers and the Red Cross, and while he is at it, why not telephone (his associates) who are continuing to post this filth.”
Some PD leaders called this weekend for legislation ahead of the elections, which are due by May, to crack down on the spread of false news.
Mr Renzi ruled that out on Sunday, but said his party would release twice-monthly reports on web abuses.
He said: ”We do not want to shut down any website, but we want accountability.”
The 5-Star party complains that it is unfairly treated by mainstream media, saying state broadcaster RAI is under the sway of the government, while the largest private media group is controlled by the family of former centre-right prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Italy‘s leading newspapers, which are owned by large industrial concerns, have also been highly critical of 5-Star, which has promised a campaign against corruption and is seen as unfriendly to big business.
Despite the attacks on 5 Star the latest polls show the party has built a stable lead over other parties, with support of around 28 per cent against 24 per cent for the PD and 15 per cent for Forza Italia.
A new electoral law which encourages coalition building ahead of the vote, means Mr Berlusconi’s centre-right bloc should emerge as the single largest political force, albeit without a clear parliamentary majority.
Mr Di Maio said last month that the European Union needed to change if they wanted to survive the current political crisis within the bloc.
Mr Di Maio said: “If the European Union doesn’t change its regulations, it will die. I think now is the right political moment for the EU to reform. People have finally voted in France, in the UK, and in Germany. Excluding the Brexit results in England, national leaders can now start making decisions without fear of losing votes. Despite already having lost most of it because they didn’t address the issues.
“We want the EU to exist, but it must do so in a fair way inspired by its founding principles.”