SLAPPs threatening freedom of expression
Journalists and civil society are increasingly under pressure: freedom of press and freedom of expression are being questioned by potentates, oligarchs and the corporate world who have discovered the power of legal means to silence critical voices. SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) have become a popular tool for the powerful and wealthy to intimidate journalists and NGOs and affect their work on a daily basis.
SLAPPs are unfounded lawsuits. In contrast to traditional lawsuits against personality violations, SLAPP plaintiffs are concerned with intimidating journalists, NGOs and human rights defenders. SLAPPs are unusually aggressive, disproportionate and insubstantial.
While the European Union is about to issue recommendations to the member states on measures against SLAPPs, the public debate in Switzerland is still in an initial stage.
