EU agrees on stronger press freedom, free speech protection
Brussels, Belgium (PANA) – European Union (EU) member states have reached a common position on a draft law which will protect journalists and human rights defenders against manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings.
Such so-called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are an increasing phenomenon to silence people who speak out on issues of public interest, according to the EU announcement on Friday about the agreement which will allow the Council to start discussions with the European Parliament in order to settle on the final law.
“Freedom of expression and free media are crucial to the functioning of our European democracies, and our free and open societies. Now that we have reached a general approach, we move towards a stronger protection for journalists, human rights defenders and others who engage in public debate,” said Mr. Gunnar Strömmer, Swedish Minister for Justice. “The draft directive will put in place procedural safeguards against such claims in civil matters with cross-border implications.”
Persons confronted with SLAPP cases will benefit from a number of procedural safeguards and protections, the statement elaborated, pointing out that a court can decide to require that the claimant, i.e. the person or company who started a SLAPP case, provides security for the costs of the proceedings.
Also, a judge may decide to dismiss, after appropriate examination, a claim as manifestly unfounded at the earliest possible stage in the proceedings. In case an application for an early dismissal has been launched, it will be for the claimant to demonstrate that the claim is not manifestly unfounded.
Because SLAPP cases often aim to financially wear out a journalist, a court can decide that the claimant must bear the costs of the proceedings, including the costs of legal representation of the SLAPP victim.
On penalties, it said that in case of abusive court proceedings a court can decide to impose dissuasive penalties or other appropriate measures on the party who brought the proceedings
If a person living in the EU is targeted by a SLAPP case in a third-country, EU member states must refuse the recognition and enforcement of the judgment rendered in that third-country case if it would be considered manifestly unfounded or abusive in the member state in question.
SLAPPs are typically initiated by powerful individuals, lobby groups, corporations and state organs. Their purpose is to censor, intimidate and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defence until they abandon their criticism or opposition.
Typical targets of SLAPPs are journalists and human rights defenders. Other persons engaged in public participation such as researchers and academics may also be targeted.
The increase of SLAPPs has been documented in a number of Rule of Law Reports, which examine rule of law developments in EU member states, and Council of Europe analyses.
-0- PANA AR/MA 9June2023
