The Committee to Protect Journalists, as part of the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE), issued a Friday statement welcoming the Council of Europe’s adoption of recommendations on countering the use of SLAPPs.
Strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as SLAPPs, are civil or criminal suits typically brought by individuals, institutions, or corporations to burden journalists and others with the distraction and cost of a legal defense—even if the plaintiffs do not expect to win the case.
The recommendations were published after public consultations in July 2023 and a two-year drafting process, which CASE praised for its transparency and inclusiveness. An April 5 statement by CASE said that if genuinely implemented, the recommendations could significantly limit the damage caused by SLAPPs.
CASE is a coalition of non-governmental organizations united in recognition of the threat posed to public watchdogs by SLAPPs.
Read the full statement here:
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.