Today, 16 October, marks seven years since the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who had faced numerous SLAPPs before her death. Her case illustrates the serious threat these abusive lawsuits pose to freedom of expression, as they are often weaponized by powerful actors to silence critics and stifle public debate. The fight against SLAPPs is ongoing, as they continue to be used across the world to suppress voices that challenge corruption and injustice. BCSDN recognizes SLAPPs as crucial topic related to one of the key standards for ensuring an enabling environment for civil society in WBT – the legal guarantees and respect of the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly and expression. In confronting SLAPPs, we work to protect freedom of expression, reinforce accountability, and maintain the critical function of civil society in promoting transparency.
Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese journalist with over 30 years of experience as a reporter, editor, columnist, and blogger, known for her investigative work on her blog. On 16 October 2017, she was assassinated by a bomb placed under her car near her home in Bidnija, Malta. Throughout her career, Daphne faced relentless threats, including arson attacks on her home, the killing of her dogs, and numerous libel suits and asset freezes filed by government and opposition members. Despite these ongoing efforts to silence her, she remained committed to her work until her death.
Despite some progress on the case, including the conviction of individuals involved in Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder and the introduction of proposed reforms on journalist safety and SLAPPs, key issues remain unresolved, prompting European CSOs and government associations this year again to call on Maltese Prime Minister to recommit to creating a safer and more enabling environment for Maltese journalists ahead of the murder’s anniversary, as many recommendations from the 2021 public inquiry remain unimplemented, and concerns persist over the lack of transparency and international scrutiny in legislative reforms, which may fail to effectively protect journalists in the future.
Based on this, and on our regional report on SLAPPs, we also recall the concerning situation in the Western Balkans, where journalists, CSOs, and activists have faced a surge in SLAPPs aimed at silencing their voices and obstructing their work. In some instances, these legal battles have escalated into threats and intimidation, creating a chilling effect on public participation. Disturbingly, there have been cases where such harassment ultimately led to violence, including murders that remain unresolved to this day. These unresolved killings continue to cast a shadow over the region’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression and ensuring justice for those targeted. The parallels between these cases and the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia highlight the urgent need for stronger protections and accountability mechanisms across Europe.
Let’s not forget the victims of SLAPPs—journalists, CSOs, and activists who are targeted for speaking truth to power—and we urge governments to take decisive action to protect them. Governments must not only condemn such tactics but also implement robust legal frameworks in line with the European standards to prevent SLAPPs from being used as a weapon against public participation.
Protecting free expression and safeguarding those who defend it is essential to maintaining democratic societies.
Join us in the fight against SLAPPs!
Photo: Article 19