The European Parliament acted in favor of protecting journalists, media organizations, activists, academics, artists, and researchers from unjustified and harmful legal actions. The Legal Affairs Committee voted in favor of new regulations to safeguard against strategic lawsuits intended to silence individuals involved in the public interest sphere. To enhance protection against SLAPPs, MEPs expanded the definition of cross-border cases and encouraged EU nations to adopt Commission’s recommendations. They proposed early dismissal of cases, claimants to bear all costs, and compensation for SLAPP victims. Defamation cases should be restricted to the defendant’s national court, and judgments from third countries should not be recognized. MEPs suggested legal, financial, and psychological support for SLAPP victims and data collection on court decisions. These proposed rules would extend protection in cross-border cases and encourage member states to adopt the Commission’s recommendations for national cases. Read more here.
Source: EP