THE IMPACT OF SLAPPS ON EUROPE'S MEDIA
An investigation into the chilling effect of vexatious lawsuits targeting journalists
The focus of this project is to provide an insight into the extent to which journalists and media outlets in Europe are being affected by a type of vexatious legal action known as a Slapp – a strategic lawsuit against public participation.
Slapps are used by powerful actors (including corporations, public officials, high-profile businesspeople) in an attempt to stop individuals or organisations from expressing critical views on issues of public interest. Although they are disguised as ordinary civil claims, such as defamation or privacy, they are not intended to succeed in court. Instead, their goal is to saddle critics with prohibitively expensive, time-consuming, and nerve-wracking legal processes.
Slapps threaten not only freedom of expression and media freedom, but access to information, rule of law, and our very democracy.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SLAPPS
AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE FACING ONE
Model Anti-SLAPP law
The UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition has drawn up this model law in consultation with senior lawyers
Letter to UK Justice Secretary...
Editors, journalists, lawyers and academics write to Dominic Raab to express support for the Model UK Anti-SLAPP Law launched by the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition
REPORT: Slapped Down
Six journalists speak about the legal efforts to silence them over their reporting
AM I FACING A SLAPP?
If you are a journalist, use our interactive tool to find out whether you are likely to be subject to a SLAPP
READ MORE ON SLAPPS
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Britain’s legal system silences sexual assault victims
The Brand allegations highlight how British courts can be used by the rich and powerful to silence the victims of sexual assault
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Over 60 editors, journalists, writers, publishers and experts call on the UK Government to commit to a standalone anti-SLAPP law
The UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition, of which Index is a co-chair, has co-ordinated and sent a letter to the Government ahead of the King's Speech on 7 Nov...
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SLAPPS: A Threat to Our Freedom of Expression and Our Democracy
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Index condemns lawsuit against Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins
21 organisations say lawsuit issued by Russian oligarch Yevgeniy Prigozhin is a SLAPP
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Daphne Caruana Galizia: Four years on from her murder, Malta must be held to account
Index joins the Maltese community, Reporters without Borders, PEN International and others to mark grim anniversary
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Index condemns lawsuits brought by ENRC against Tom Burgis
We join with 14 other organisations to condemn legal action against the journalist, the Financial Times and HarperCollins in London
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Index and 21 other organisations condemn lawsuits brought by ENRC against public watchdogs
Lawsuits represent an egregious attempt to curtail freedom of expression and jeopardise anti-corruption efforts
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Contents – China’s global brand: a century of silencing dissent
Index looks back on 100 years of the Chinese Communist Party and how their censorship laws continue to shape the lives of people around the world a...