SLAPPs are a threat to freedom of expression, to media freedom and to democracy.

"The rich and powerful are trying to silence journalists across Europe": this is the title of this op-ed written by Flutura Kusari, legal advisor of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, and Nik Williams, coordinator of the Media Freedom Rapid Response, who give a detailed overview of cases and possible solutions.

"The EU needs to fight back".

From Malta (with the death of Daphne Caruana Galizia who had dozens of lawsuits to face) to the recent cases in Poland, from Croatia to France, freedom of expression is in danger, and the authors invite the European Commission to act, as "an anti-SLAPP directive could establish an EU-wide minimum standard of protection for journalists and civil society by sanctioning claimants bringing abusive lawsuits".

The full article can be read here.

Tags: SLAPP Freedom of expression Croatia Media freedom France Malta Italy

This content is part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response  (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. The project is co-funded by the European Commission.