BCSDN member, the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC) released a report on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) in North Macedonia, revealing an alarming increase in such cases aimed at intimidating journalists and activists. The report provides SLAPP cases, where powerful entities use different tactics to silence critics. It highlights insufficient legal protections against SLAPPs in the country, leading to self-censorship and a chilling effect on free speech. Recommendations include establishing a dedicated anti-SLAPP unit, enhancing legal and financial support for SLAPP defendants, and creating a public registry of SLAPP cases. Comprehensive efforts by MCIC and its partners are essential to countering these threats to free expression and civic engagement in the Western Balkans. This report will be included in the country briefs section of BCSDN’s first regional research on SLAPPs. Read the full report here.
Source: MCIC