Baseless libel lawsuits are used by powerful actors to silence their critics. Whether or not they win the case is less important: exorbitant legal fees and psychological trauma does enough damage. But who uses this tactic, who do they target, and why?
Press release
In their new policy paper, Liberties and other rights and press freedom groups explain why abusive lawsuits (SLAPPs) against watchdogs and journalists threaten democracies in Europe and what governments and the EU should do tackle it.
What are SLAPP lawsuits and why are they such an important issue? We take a look at a tool increasingly used to silence watchdogs and stifle democratic participation.
Journalists and rights defenders must be protected from powerful businesses, politicians and their malicious lawsuits. In this speechbag podcast episode our guests talk about their personal stories & about the EU's role in the fight against SLAPPs.
SLAPPs are a weapon in the hands of those that want to prevent us from having a say on matters that affect our lives and the society we live in. Liberties joins other NGOs from across the EU to urge policymakers to end these gag lawsuits.