Legal

Why anti-SLAPP laws are needed to stop powerful people censoring criticism

Jessica Ní Mhainín of the Index on Censorship says the power imbalance in SLAPPs must be changed

Jessica Ní Mhainín says: ‘We need to ensure that public watchdogs such as journalists, whistle-blowers and researchers are adequately supported’

If legal proceedings are abusive, the litigant will likely lose, or the proceedings will be thrown out of court.

So why are strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), the practice of wealthy or powerful people using the law in order to silence public watchdogs, an issue?

This will be discussed at the Dublin Anti-SLAPP Conference, taking place at Trinity College on Thursday.

As attendees will hear, the courts offer little recourse to those affected ...