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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.

UK 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

REPORT: Slapped down

Six journalists speak about the legal efforts to silence them over their reporting

Am I facing a Slapp?

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

Êtes-vous confronté(e) à une poursuite-bâillon ?

Êtes-vous confronté(e) à une poursuite-bâillon ?

Utilisez notre outil interactif

Habe ich es mit einer SLAPP zu tun?

Habe ich es mit einer SLAPP zu tun?

Finden Sie es heraus, mit unserem interaktiven Tool

¿Me enfrento a un caso de SLAPP?

¿Me enfrento a un caso de SLAPP?

Infórmate con nuestra herramienta interactiva

Czy grozi mi pozew typu SLAPP?

Czy grozi mi pozew typu SLAPP?

Wypełnij ankietę, żeby się dowiedzieć

REPORT: Breaking the Silence

REPORT: Breaking the Silence

A report on the legal measures that will give journalists back their voices

REPORT: A gathering storm

REPORT: A gathering storm

How laws are being used in Europe to bring actions against journalists

FACING A SLAPP? WANT MORE INFORMATION?