De Europese Commissie heeft recent nieuwe wetgeving voorgesteld tegen zogenaamde strategic lawsuits against public participation (‘SLAPPs’). SLAPPs zijn ongegronde rechtszaken tegen journalisten en mensenrechtenverdedigers* die als voornaamste doel hebben om hen te intimideren en onder druk te zetten, en daarmee het publiek debat te beperken. In Amerika is hier al wetgeving tegen, en gezien de opkomst van dergelijke zaken in de EU meent de Commissie [Lees meer…] overEU komt met maatregelen tegen ongefundeerde anti-media rechtszaken (‘SLAPPs’)
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News site acquitted for stalking and breach of privacy in Belgian SLAPP-case
Guest post by Dirk Voorhoof, Ghent University.*
When news site Apache‘s chief editor and its journalist Stef Arends were acquitted on 20 January 2021 for stalking and invasion of privacy in the so-called Fornuis case, the tribunal’s verdict was considered a boost for journalistic freedom and investigative reporting. The Antwerp Court of Appeal’s judgment of 9 June 2022 (condemning the civil party for abuse of process) confirms strong support for investigative journalism on issues of public interest, while at the same time acknowledging the detrimental impact of SLAPPs (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation). This criminal case against Apache initiated by business man Erik Van der Paal is a timely illustration of the need to combat abuse of litigation against journalists, media, civil society organisations, academics or other public watchdogs. [Lees meer…] overNews site acquitted for stalking and breach of privacy in Belgian SLAPP-case
