In its yearly report, the Coalition Against SLAPPS in Europe documented that in 2023 Italy, Romania, Serbia and Turkey lead Europe in rising libel suits against journalists and activists. The report identifies and presents statistics on the action taken to silence journalists and activists via various legal means (strategic lawsuit against public participation).
Most SLAPPs are recorded to have been used by politicians and companies to silence critics in most cases about issues of corruption. The report proves that consistently, libel suits are used by people in power to silence critics. Most of the cases initiated are based on “defamation” claims and initiated through civil procedures. 45% of the cases were started by businesses and businesspersons with 35.5% of the cases started by politicians and public officials. 36% of the cases involved corruption issues and 16% of the issues involved environmental issues.
In 2023 alone, Italy recorded a total of 26 new SLAPP cases, while Romania recorded 15, and Serbia and Turkey each recorded 10 cases. Italian Prime Minister Girogia Meloni has herself opened several lawsuits against journalists having opened cases against journalists Roberto Saviano and Giulia Cortese with the journalists fined €1,000 and €5,000 respectively for “defaming” the Prime Minister.
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