Strategic lawsuits against public participation (or SLAPPs) are a form of judicial harassment aimed at intimidating and ultimately silencing associations or individuals who speak out on issues of political or societal importance. SLAPPs affect journalists, activists, academics and civil society organizations, but this tool specifically aims to help journalists understand whether the threat or legal action against them can be classified as a SLAPP.

This questionnaire is intended to be a useful tool and not legal advice.

The questions asked in this assessment are based on research conducted by Index on Censorship on how SLAPPs against journalists most often manifest. If your answers coincide with the most common symptoms of a SLAPP, you will likely be told that you are facing a SLAPP. For example, journalists facing SLAPPs are more likely to be sued individually, even if they are employed by news outlets. Accordingly, if you indicate in the questionnaire that you are being sued as an individual, you will probably be told that you are facing a SLAPP.

Your responses are not shared with third parties and Index on Censorship does not store IP addresses. Your responses are therefore completely anonymous.