Silencers of the truth: What are SLAPPs?

The article focuses on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), which are legal actions used by wealthy and powerful individuals or corporations to silence public interest journalism and activism through costly and burdensome libel claims. SLAPPs typically involve weak legal cases, a significant imbalance of resources between claimants and defendants, and issues of public interest such as political corruption or corporate wrongdoing. The United Kingdom, with its strict defamation laws and high court fees, is identified as a favorable environment for SLAPPs, prompting recent government efforts to introduce anti-SLAPP measures targeting economic crime-related libel suits. These lawsuits pose a threat to free expression and investigative journalism by diverting resources and attention away from reporting on wrongdoing.