New bill in Parliament for the protection of journalists and citizens
The Greek Parliament is set to debate and vote on an important bill this Friday. This text concerns the transposition of a European directive aimed at protecting citizens and journalists from abusive lawsuits, known internationally as SLAPPs.
SLAPP lawsuits are often used by powerful individuals or companies to silence public criticism. By using legal proceedings, plaintiffs attempt to intimidate those who criticize them, forcing them to spend time and money on legal battles.
The new bill introduces safeguards that will allow courts to dismiss such lawsuits at an early stage if they are deemed manifestly unfounded. In this way, freedom of speech is strengthened and the right to information is protected in Greece.
This initiative is part of a broader European effort to protect democratic institutions. The European Union seeks to ensure that journalists and activists can work without the fear of legal actions aimed at intimidating them.
The debate in Parliament is awaited with great interest by civil society organizations and journalistic unions. The passage of the bill is considered a positive step for transparency and democratic functioning in the country.