MEPs debate on their position on rules to protect journalists, activists, academics, artists and researchers against legal actions aimed at silencing them. The draft directive provides minimum standards of protection from lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) in the EU through early dismissal of these cases, obliging the claimant to cover the costs of proceedings and not recognising third country judgements. The rules should apply in cross-border cases when the claimant and defendant are not based in the same country as the court or when the case is relevant to more than one member state and the disputed work can be accessed electronically. MEPs are also set to call on member states to ensure that SLAPP victims get legal, financial and psychological assistance. Opening statements by Tiemo WÖLKEN (S&D, DE) and by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

Human rights (T2)

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

freedom of press and media (T)

WÖLKEN, Tiemo (S&D, DE)

Protection of journalists and human rights defenders from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings: Opening statements by Tiemo WÖLKEN (S&D, DE) and by Věra JOUROVÁ, EC VP in charge of Values and Transparency

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#283;ra JOUROV&#193;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, -

SOUNDBITE (English), Tiemo W&#214;LKEN (S&amp;D, DE), Rapporteur, -