The Brussels directive, which will make it easier to dismiss unfounded claims against human rights defenders and journalists by silencing them, was supported by the European Parliament’s legal committee.
True, difficult negotiations on freedom of the media are still ahead, for which the EU countries and MEPs are preparing after supporting the SLAPP directive. Thiemo Völken, Socialist MP for Germany, says:
“When a journalist is threatened with legal action, it reduces the likelihood that he will publish or publicize the issue he wants to talk about. This intimidation effect not only infringes on the rights of those protected by the directive, but also threatens the right of everyone else to access information. This prevents not only journalists, but also ordinary people from exercising their right to information, and then freely and publicly discussing it.We made it (directive, ed.) stronger and added other provisions, such as the creation of a single center that journalists can apply to and human rights defenders for help. They also have national networks of special advocates, legal practitioners and psychologists at their disposal.”
The directive has been applied in the European Union since 2020 570 times. The number of such cases is increasing every year.
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