Journalists and watchdogs deserve better protection against the ‘lawfare’ of powerful politicians or businesses. The new EU anti-SLAPP initiative could turn the worrying trend of weaponizing laws and courts to silence critical voices in Europe.

Baseless libel lawsuits are used by powerful actors to silence their critics. Whether or not they win the case is less important: exorbitant legal fees and psychological trauma does enough damage. But who uses this tactic, who do they target, and why?

Press release

With Russia’s propaganda machine in full swing, we are seeing first hand the devastating consequences of allowing free media to fall under government control.

A free media system is indispensable to democracy. Yet in many EU countries, this fundamental pillar is crumbling under the weight of government capture and threats. Here are Liberties’ recommendations to the EU to defend free media.

Growing political pressure, high concentration of ownership, smears and abusive lawsuits against journalists, lack of oversight on public service media: we collected evidence to see why media freedom is in decline in Europe.

Right groups criticise the consultation process, which limits the possibility to review the upcoming disinformation regulation in a meaningful way and thus harms human rights in the long run.

Most EU governments are neglecting their democracies, according to the new ‘Liberties Rule of Law Report 2022’.

Press Release

What is watchdog journalism and why is it so important in a democracy? We take a look at the journalists who make sure our politicians play by the rules.