SLAPPs (“strategic lawsuits against public participation”) are legal actions that formally claim to protect personal rights but are in fact intended to silence criticism and burden journalists with litigation. The case in question followed this pattern: the lawsuit targeted the author directly, rather than the publisher bearing legal responsibility - a step often seen as a form of personal pressure.
Commenting on the case to Seznam Zprávy, Sebastian Mach said: “I see Mr Stanislav’s actions as an attempt to put pressure on a journalist through a lawsuit of the kind experts call a SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation). One of its aims is to discourage journalists from publishing information and tie them up in baseless proceedings. The courts indirectly confirmed our view when they dismissed the lawsuit in a final judgment.”
As a general rule, freedom of expression and the public’s right to information carry particular weight on matters of public interest, provided that published reports are supported by facts and presented in a proportionate manner. Editorial teams should therefore verify information carefully, be transparent about their sources and seek legal advice early on sensitive stories. For public figures, a factual response or the exercise of a right of reply may be more appropriate than immediately filing a lawsuit.
You can read the full article about the case here (CZ).
At FAIRSQUARE, our team helps journalists and publishers defend themselves against SLAPPs and claims concerning personal rights.
Contact us before a legal notice turns into a lawsuit.