Resources & Reports

Fighting SLAPPs: What Can Media, Lawyers, and Funders Do? Peter Noorlander, December 15, 2022

Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) pose a global threat to media freedom, targeting journalists and activists to stifle their voices through resource imbalances. This report suggests immediate measures, including mutual insurance, resource pooling, and legal advocacy, to counter SLAPPs. Short-term solutions like pre-publication vetting and innovative lawyering can protect journalists, with support from media development donors crucial in fostering defense coalitions and learning spaces for lawyers. The report emphasizes a context-specific approach, rejecting a one-size-fits-all solution and promoting a tailored package of measures to bolster media outlets against legal harassment.