Policy paper: Ending gag lawsuits in Europe to protect democracy and fundamental rights

Download the policy paper The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined 118 other organisations to demand an EU set of anti-SLAPP measures. The problem: gag lawsuits against public interest defenders The EU must end gag lawsuits used to silence individuals and organisations that hold those in positions of power to account. Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) are lawsuits brought forward by powerful actors (e.g. companies, public officials in their private capacity, high profile persons) to harass and silence those speaking out in the public interest. Typical victims are those with a watchdog role, for instance: journalists, activists, informal associations,…