Reckless lawsuits, the sad Italian record

Journalists and reporters, then media and activists. These are the main targets of the reckless subpoenas in the enlarged European area (Slapp: Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) collected in the Case 2024 report. Case is a working group with the participation of various associations at European level, which aims to monitor obstacles and threats to free information. The data of the 2024 report were presented on 9 December in Rome, at the meeting organised by The Good Lobby, Amnesty International Italy and the Balkans Caucasus Transeuropa Observatory on behalf of the Italian Case node.

Italy holds the record for Slapp with 26 reckless actions, followed by Romania with 15 cases, Serbia and Turkey both with 10, out of a total of 166 reckless actions at European level. Among the cases registered from 2010 to 2023, journalists and reporters are at the top of the list of targets, followed by media and activists, while the highest number of Slapp actions in 2023 were brought by entrepreneurs and politicians, in more than 45% and 35% of cases respectively.

"Slapps violate freedom of expression and the right to public participation, targeting those who have the common interest at heart. A democratic country like Italy should protect and not silence those who denounce and those who provide correct information,' said Francesca Loffari, from the institutional relations office of Amnesty International Italy.

"As guardians of democracy, journalists and activists play an essential role in facilitating public debate, ensuring that citizens have access to a plurality of viewpoints," said Sielke Kelner, Advocacy and Research, Transeuropa Balkans Caucasus Observatory.