13 September 2023

NMA Joins New Taskforce To Tackle SLAPPs

The News Media Association has welcomed the new SLAPPs taskforce this week, set up by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The taskforce intends to build on anti-SLAPP measures recently built into the Economic Crime Bill, with the view to entirely ban the practice of SLAPPs in UK courts and thereby protect all public interest journalism.

SLAPPs, or strategic lawsuits against public participation, are a tool used by wealthy individuals to intimidate and financially burden those who seek to expose wrongdoing. These lawsuits threaten the defendant with exorbitant legal costs, making it difficult for them to defend themselves against the claim. Russian oligarchs have been known to use SLAPPs as a means of silencing journalists, often by making false claims of defamation and invasion of privacy. This prevents the publication of information that is in the public interest.

The taskforce will bring together media and legal experts from across both industries to drive forward “measures to protect public interest journalism.” On the launch of the taskforce, government said: “Journalists will be better protected exposing the crimes of powerful figures under plans for a new government-led taskforce to clamp down on obstructive and costly legal action designed to silence critics.”

The DCMS Secretary of State, Lucy Frazer, said: “When I became Culture Secretary I vowed to stand up for independent voices and nurture a thriving media landscape which upholds and champions fearless truth telling.

“SLAPPs have led to journalists having to crowdfund their legal fees and some have even been forced to sell their homes – simply for doing their job.

“Working together with industry leaders, we will develop strong measures which enhance the freedom of the press to expose wrongdoing without fear of our justice system being abused to silence journalists.”

NMA legal director Sayra Tekin said: “This marks a significant step in tackling the scourge of strategic litigation aimed at crushing freedom of expression and the work of journalists. The NUJ has been to the fore in highlighting the impact of SLAPPs at a national level and internationally through our role in the European Federation of Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists.

“We welcome our inclusion on the government’s SLAPPs taskforce and will strive to secure an end to the abuse of legal processes to silence our members.

“The union has long called for urgent action needed to protect public interest journalism, including standalone legislation that the government must introduce to demonstrate its commitment to tackling the true scale and impact of SLAPPs. The harassment and intimidation of journalists must not be allowed to continue.

“We hope to develop a collaborative approach with stakeholders exploring measures that prioritise the safety of journalists, whilst recognising the threats posed by SLAPPs in undermining our democracy.”

The organisations in membership of the taskforce are:

  • The National Union of Journalists
  • Index on Censorship
  • The Society of Editors
  • Reporters Without Borders
  • The News Media Association
  • The Solicitors Regulation Authority
  • The Bar Council
  • The Bar Standards Board
  • The Law Society of England and Wales
  • The Media Lawyers Association
  • The Foreign Policy Centre
  • English PEN
  • Publishers Association