Lawfare against journalists: Committee explores what progress has been made on SLAPPs
The Communications and Digital Committee holds two evidence sessions on SLAPPs and what progress has been made on preventing their use to silence journalists and whistle blowers.
Meeting details
Background
The Committee has been looking at the impact of SLAPPs – Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation since 2022 – and has campaigned for the Government to introduce measures to protect journalists and other from aggressive ‘lawfare’ tactics that threaten free speech. Key points have included stronger legislative protections; higher financial penalties; more action from the regulator; and investigating the use of PR firms to intimidate critics and illicit finance to fund SLAPPs.
The Government has made some progress on introducing new protections against SLAPPs, most recently by backing Wayne David MP’s Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill.
The session informs the Committee’s ongoing inquiry into the future of news, and what needs to be done to ensure the continuation of public interest journalism (and particularly investigative journalism).
Possible areas for discussion
Possible areas for discussion with the first witness panel include:
- How the use of SLAPPs and other threats to the security of journalists have developed in recent years;
- the potential benefits and shortcoming of the Anti-SLAPPs Bill currently at Committee Stage in the House of Commons; and
- non-legislative action – particularly around the physical safety of journalists following assassination threats from foreign states.
Possible areas for discussion with the second witness panel include:
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s record in addressing the work of solicitors facilitating SLAPPs;
- the adequacy of the SRA’s investigations and outcomes; and
- what more they can do to tackle the abuse of the UK’s legal system.