To confront the growing threat of vexatious lawsuits intended to harass and silence independent media worldwide, Reporters Shield launches today as a new membership program defending investigative journalism against such lawsuits, known as “strategic lawsuits against public participation,” or SLAPPs.
Corrupt and criminal figures file SLAPPs to threaten, intimidate, and financially burden journalists. Fighting them entails paying expensive attorneys, suffering years of emotional stress, and spending enormous amounts of time on defense, distracting journalists from their work. As a result, media outlets are often forced to avoid reporting about litigious subjects, and may preemptively take down stories when receiving legal threats.
Reporters Shield will help its members limit litigation risk, respond to legal threats, and defend against SLAPPs. “Journalists around the world are facing increased legal harassment, and now they don’t have to go it alone,” said Reporters Shield’s startup director, Peter Noorlander. “Reporters Shield is a coordinated global solution that will counter SLAPP threats and work to support press freedom, democracy, and the free flow of information that the public needs to make decisions.” …
After the truth-shower 