04-04-2025
We have to closely watch how the new legal safeguards translate into real-world protection, says ECNL in Reporters Shield blog.
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are abusive lawsuits filed to shut down acts of public participation, including public interest journalism, peaceful protest or whistleblowing. They threaten public debate and aim to intimidate newspapers and activists into silence.
The European Union's “anti-SLAPP Directive” marks a crucial step in protecting journalists, media outlets and activists from abusive legal tactics and provides a much-needed legal shield. However, the much will depend on how rigorously Member States implement the provisions and go beyond their limitations to introduce robust legal protections.
Read more in the blog on Reporters Shield written by ECNL's Francesca Fanucci!