The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) are organising the European Anti-SLAPP Conference. Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are legal threats and lawsuits used by powerful individuals and corporations to limit freedom of expression by intimidating and discouraging journalists from gathering and publishing information on public matters. In the last three years, civil society organisations in Europe joined forces to counter SLAPPs which resulted in the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of Europe responding and countering such threats with concrete initiatives.

European Anti-SLAPP ConferenceOpening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency and by Marija PEJČINOVIĆ BURIĆ, Secretary General, the Council of Europe

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SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, When I got the news that Daphne Caruana Galizia had been murdered, the woman who had brought to light so much of what was corrupt was suddenly killed in an effort to keep it in the dark. Daphne became a target because she was a threat. It started with online lawsuits, I mean, online intimidation and frivolous lawsuits, and then continued the blatant harassment and open threats of violence. Daphne herself had said that journalists self-censor because people are afraid of consequences. It has become very, very difficult and this should never be. On the day of her assassination, as you know, Daphne had her assets frozen and was facing over 40 lawsuits which had been filed against her.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We need stronger European systems to provide cover to those in the crossfire, many who have nowhere else to turn to. And this starts with a European anti-SLAPP directive and thorough consultations with journalists, media houses and civil society and an across committee cross-party spirit. Last year we did make the first steps towards making this a reality by submitting our recommendations on such a legislation to the European Commission.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President,But without freedom of media, there can be no real freedom. So Europe must stand with the truth seekers, and our values must be protected by our laws.

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#283;ra JOUROV&#193;, EC Vice-President for Values and Transparency, This is for us, for all of us is Daphne's law. Because thanks to her, we are able to explain and bring strong arguments for the action against that. It's been five years since she was assassinated. As I said yesterday, her family is still waiting for justice. And I think that it's incredibly touching also when you realise that Daphne, five years after she died, she's still working for all of us.

SOUNDBITE (English), Věra JOUROV&Aacute;, EC Vice-President for Values and Transparency, For the Media Freedom Act I see a lot of resistance in some member states, in some media sectors. For the first time, we dare to legislate on the rules for the publishers, because up to now, we always were focussing on the on the audiovisual sector. We dare to increase the protection of public service media, which is in some some states considered to be the the the family silver, or, if I may say, even holy cow, untouchable. [00:03:15][33.6]

<a href="../7cb0903d-a0b8-4b34-801f-a303d2b204f3/entries/7">SOUNDBITE (English), Marija PEJČINOVIĆ BURIĆ, Secretary General Council of Europe</a>,Slapps are one of the more recent challenges that have emerged. And this problem must be addressed. Slapps are based on the arbitrary, opportunist and vexatious use of legislation laws that cover defamation, national security and anti extremist extremism and anti-terrorism. They can be based in civil, administrative or criminal proceedings, and they can be launched by private interests, often powerful individuals and companies or by state actors. Either way, they are intended to intimidate, to limit public debate, and to prevent the free flow of legitimate information, not least by encouraging self-censorship.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dunja MIJATOVIĆ, Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe, The urgency to act is very clear to me. Are we going to succeed? I do not know. The time will tell. But what I can assure you that we will not give up. Slapps occur every day in Europe in many of our member states, targeting professionals like recently journalists in France and Greece who are being sued by wealthy companies and public institutions, but also young activists who speak out to protect their community of the environment.

European Anti-SLAPP ConferenceOpening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency and by Marija PEJČINOVIĆ BURIĆ, Secretary General, the Council of Europe

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Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

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