David Casa condemns SLAPP lawsuits on journalists

David Casa, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Head of the Maltese European People's Party (EPP) Delegation, has reiterated his strong stance against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), calling them a direct threat to democracy, journalistic integrity, and freedom of expression. His recent comments come in the wake of the 2025 European SLAPP Contest, an annual event that publicly exposes entities and individuals using legal action to intimidate and silence journalists and civil society voices.

Casa, who has been an outspoken advocate for stronger legal protections for the press, stressed the significance of public awareness and scrutiny in tackling the rise of SLAPPs. According to him, the mere reputational damage caused by being labeled a SLAPP abuser could act as a deterrent in itself.

The 2025 SLAPP awards: Naming and shaming abusers

The European SLAPP Contest is an initiative led by CASE (Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe), a network of non-governmental organizations united in their efforts to safeguard public participation and freedom of expression across the EU. The satirical contest does not celebrate achievements but instead shames the worst examples of SLAPP use from the past year.

The 2025 edition saw a diverse group of offenders named across various categories:

• Clean Tech International, a Romanian company, was named Corporate Bully of the Year, for engaging in aggressive legal tactics against environmental activists and reporters.
• Rachida Dati, French Minister of Culture, was awarded SLAPP Politician of the Year, a designation highlighting her controversial legal threats targeting French journalists.
• The UK-based Signature Clinic received the dubious honor of Farcical Threat of the Year for issuing a lawsuit widely regarded as lacking merit and aimed solely at silencing criticism.
• Energy Transfer, operating across the United States and the Netherlands, earned the title International Bully of the Year.
• Finally, ENI, the Italian oil conglomerate, was called SLAPP Addict of the Year for its repeated and persistent use of lawsuits to suppress critical reporting.

These awards, although tongue-in-cheek in presentation, underscore a serious and pervasive issue that continues to plague media environments across Europe and beyond.

David Casa’s enduring role in defending press freedom

David Casa’s involvement in the European SLAPP Contest goes far beyond being a jurist. He has long been recognized as one of the EU’s foremost defenders of press freedom and journalistic independence. In 2018, well before the EU took substantial steps to address SLAPPs, Casa was the first MEP to publicly demand a European directive that would target abusive lawsuits filed with the intention of stifling public interest journalism.

In a statement following the announcement of the 2025 SLAPP Contest winners, Casa emphasized the destructive consequences of SLAPPs, calling them “a powerful tool for those in positions of influence to muzzle critics and suppress transparency.”

He added that despite important progress at both national and EU levels, including the adoption of an anti-SLAPP Directive, much more needs to be done to ensure that these legal tactics are identified and condemned early on. “We have a directive in place, and it is working,” Casa stated. “But legal instruments alone are not enough. We need a vigilant public, empowered civil society groups, and an independent judiciary ready to expose and reject SLAPPs as they arise.”

The EU anti-SLAPP directive: progress and limitations

The European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive was designed to address this very problem, offering cross-border protections for journalists and activists targeted by vexatious lawsuits. It provides mechanisms for early dismissal of cases deemed abusive and allows for potential penalties against those filing such claims in bad faith.

Yet, the directive is not without its critics. While some countries have taken strong legislative action to reinforce the directive, others, including Malta—ironically, one of the first member states to introduce national anti-SLAPP laws—have been accused of diluting the directive’s power.

Civil society organizations and legal experts have voiced concern that Malta’s approach lacks the teeth required to truly deter SLAPP behavior. Critics point to vague definitions, loopholes, and the absence of financial disincentives as major weaknesses. Some activists have even argued that the Maltese government is more concerned with optics than actual enforcement, a position at odds with its international image as a pioneer in anti-SLAPP legislation.

Malta’s complicated relationship with press freedom

Malta holds a particularly complex position in the context of SLAPPs. The assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017 thrust the country into the global spotlight, drawing sharp criticism over the lack of protections for investigative journalists. Since then, Malta has taken steps to strengthen its legal framework, but questions persist about the true depth of these reforms.

Casa, who was a close colleague and friend of Caruana Galizia, has consistently used his platform in the European Parliament to call for deeper structural reforms. Speaking at the 2023 conference Silencing Freedom, Weaponising the Law, co-organized by The Shift and CASE, Casa underscored the inadequacy of national laws alone in providing meaningful protection. “A journalist should never be forced into silence through fear of legal and financial ruin,” he said.

His comments reflect a broader understanding of SLAPPs not just as legal issues, but as threats to democracy itself. The misuse of defamation and libel laws can lead to a chilling effect on speech, dissuading investigative journalism and creating an environment where corruption thrives unchecked.

The role of civil society and satire in fighting SLAPPs

An innovative aspect of the European SLAPP Contest is its use of satire to expose wrongdoing. Rather than approaching the issue with dry legal language or bureaucratic reports, CASE’s contest opts for public embarrassment—a tactic that can sometimes have greater impact than fines or legal sanctions.

By humorously highlighting the absurdity and aggression behind SLAPPs, the awards reach a broader audience, including those who might otherwise ignore discussions of press law and legal reform. According to CASE, the point is not only to condemn but to educate and build public resistance.

This approach is gaining traction across Europe, with similar initiatives springing up in national contexts. The media landscape is increasingly rallying around the idea that exposing SLAPP perpetrators to public criticism can be an effective way to reduce the frequency of such abuses.

Why SLAPPs matter in the digital age

In an age where information travels instantly and global audiences can be reached with a single tweet or article, the threat posed by SLAPPs has grown. Wealthy corporations, politicians, and interest groups can easily file lawsuits in jurisdictions most favorable to them, hoping to financially exhaust journalists or their publications—even when the information published is accurate and in the public interest.

This tactic, known as “forum shopping,” allows powerful entities to choose courts where anti-defamation laws are weakest and damages are highest. This exacerbates the legal imbalance between deep-pocketed plaintiffs and underfunded newsrooms.

Furthermore, SLAPPs disproportionately affect small, independent, or nonprofit media outlets that lack the resources to defend themselves. These outlets often focus on local corruption, environmental degradation, or corporate malfeasance—topics essential to democratic accountability.

Looking forward: accountability and resilience

The fight against SLAPPs is far from over. While legal tools like the EU directive provide a framework, it is the combined efforts of lawmakers, NGOs, journalists, and the public that will determine whether real change occurs. Casa’s call to action is clear: stay alert, expose wrongdoing, and ensure that legal systems are not used as instruments of oppression.

Public engagement, media literacy, and international cooperation are crucial. As threats to press freedom evolve, so must the responses—both in law and in culture. The 2025 SLAPP Contest may be symbolic, but it serves as a mirror reflecting the ongoing struggle for a free, independent press.

Conclusion

The growing use of SLAPP lawsuits across Europe poses a serious threat to democratic values, press freedom, and civic participation. As David Casa and the CASE coalition continue to shed light on these abusive legal tactics, it becomes increasingly clear that legislative reform alone is not enough. Public awareness, media solidarity, and strong civil society engagement are essential to ensuring that journalists and activists can speak truth to power without fear of financial ruin or legal intimidation. The 2025 SLAPP Contest may be symbolic in nature, but it underscores a deeper reality: the fight for free expression is far from over, and those who abuse the legal system must be held accountable—not just in courtrooms, but in the court of public opinion.

FAQs

What is a SLAPP lawsuit?
A SLAPP lawsuit is a legal action intended to silence or intimidate critics by burdening them with costly and time-consuming litigation.

Why are SLAPPs a threat to journalism?
SLAPPs aim to suppress critical reporting and discourage journalists from investigating or exposing wrongdoing, threatening press freedom.

What role does David Casa play in fighting SLAPPs?
David Casa is a leading MEP advocating for strong EU-wide measures against SLAPPs and consistently defends journalists’ rights.

What is the European SLAPP Contest?
It is a satirical award event organized by CASE to publicly highlight and shame the worst SLAPP offenders across Europe each year.

Which companies were named in the 2025 SLAPP awards?
Clean Tech International, ENI, Signature Clinic, Energy Transfer, and Rachida Dati were among those named for SLAPP-related actions.

What is CASE?
CASE stands for Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe, a network of NGOs dedicated to defending public participation and free expression.

How effective is the EU anti-SLAPP directive?
It provides legal tools to combat SLAPPs but still depends on strong national implementation and public awareness.

Why is Malta criticized despite its anti-SLAPP laws?
Malta has been accused of weakening the EU directive and failing to provide meaningful legal deterrents against SLAPPs.

How does satire help in combating SLAPPs?
By using humor and public exposure, satire draws attention to SLAPP abuses and pressures offenders through reputational risk.

What can individuals do to support press freedom?
Support independent journalism, advocate for legal reforms, and stay informed about SLAPPs and threats to free speech.