Report Launch: How are courts responding to SLAPPs? Analysis of selected court decisions from across the globe
Sponsored by Columbia GFoE, ARTICLE 19 and UNESCO
Hybrid Event: In-Person Registration Online Registration
Directions: MLK Conference Room 527, Riverside Church, Columbia University
Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are on the rise internationally and they pose a significant threat to freedom of expression, media freedom and other human rights. In countries without specific legislative protection against SLAPPs, the courts can play a crucial role in ensuring that SLAPPs do not prevent the exercise of fundamental rights, do not limit the vital role of civil society and do not shrink civic space.
To better understand how SLAPPs are manifesting in different jurisdictions and how courts are responding to them, ARTICLE 19 reviewed selected case law collected in the Global Freedom of Expression Database. The study focused on whether courts recognise the danger posed by SLAPPs and whether and how they assess SLAPP cases to ascertain some basic trends from selected cases.
This event will discuss the general findings of the report and responses by international bodies and identify gaps that require stronger protection against SLAPPs to be adopted on international, regional, and national levels.
Additionally, UNESCO will discuss the application of defamation laws in the context of SLAPPs as documented in their recent report "The 'misuse' of the judicial system to attack freedom of expression: trends, challenges and responses."
Speakers:
- Catalina Botero, Consulting Director, Columbia Global Freedom of Expression
- Barbora Bukovska, Senior Director for Law and Policy, ARTICLE 19
- Mehdi Benchelah, Senior Project Officer, Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, UNESCO
- Ginna Anderson, Associate Director, American Bar Association Center for Human Rights; Deputy Director, Justice Defenders Program
See the full agenda here and more information on World Press Freedom Day Side Events here.
