What is SLAPP? 🗨️ #
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) are baseless lawsuits filed by predatory organizations to silence individuals criticizing an organization’s wrongdoings. This is done to intimidate and create emotional strain, eventually leading to the individuals involved retracting their statements or issuing a formal apology. This would result in censorship of public opinion, eventually leading to the organization continuing their wrongdoings.
What can they claim? 🗨️ #
These predatory organizations may claim that the statements made by critics were all “false accusations” that ruined their reputation. They may view some words (e.g., “scam,” “fraud,” etc.) as “defamatory.”
Who are affected? 🗨️ #
The individuals affected by SLAPP suits are generally whistleblowers and journalists. Despite exposing predatory organizations as a matter of public interest, predatory organizations may file a SLAPP suit to unmask, silence, or extort money from these individuals.
Why is it important? ⚠️ #
Despite this topic not being widely discussed or well known, SLAPP suits are a tool for predatory organizations to ensure that they can silence individuals speaking out against them. It is important to pass anti-SLAPP legislation to protect the freedom of speech, public opinion, and awareness shared by certain individuals.