UK urged to enact anti-SLAPP laws
Campaigners call for legal protections against abusive lawsuits that stifle public interest reporting.
Trust 30Craft 61Hype 41How this was reported ▾
The central claim is attributed to an organisation, but no named individuals or documents are cited.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
The article explains why SLAPPs matter and names affected groups, but lacks specific examples or next steps.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The headline uses strong language like 'legal bullies' and 'SLAPPs', creating a sense of urgency.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
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From the archive. This story was written up on 29 July 2026 from reporting first published on 15 April 2026, which is the date shown above. We took up the back catalogue of the local titles we read when this site launched, so the events are older than the page.
Media organisations and campaigners are calling on the UK Government to implement new laws against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). These legal actions, often referred to as 'legal bullies', are designed to intimidate and silence individuals and organisations by threatening expensive court proceedings. The upcoming King's Speech presents a key opportunity for the government to introduce legislative protections against such abuses.
The nature of SLAPPs
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SLAPPs are described as abusive lawsuits that aim to prevent the publication of reporting or to remove existing material from public view. They allow wealthy individuals or organisations to leverage the threat of costly and time-consuming legal action against journalists, campaigners, and others. These lawsuits are not seen as genuine attempts to correct factual errors but rather as tactics to stifle reporting and shield those who might be subject to scrutiny from public accountability.
Wider impact beyond journalism
While journalists are frequently targeted, the use of SLAPPs extends to various groups. Survivors of sexual assault who have named their attackers, local campaigners working on public services, former patients posting reviews, environmentalists, and tenants seeking repairs have all reportedly faced such legal threats. The UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition, an informal working group established in January 2021, highlights that these tactics can leave individuals and organisations fearful of speaking out due to the potential financial and personal cost of defending themselves.
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Call for legislative action
The UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition, comprising freedom of expression, transparency, and media organisations, is advocating for the inclusion of clear and meaningful anti-SLAPP protections in the King's Speech. They argue that such legislation is necessary to re-balance the scales of justice, ensuring that those targeted by powerful legal threats have the means to defend their right to speak and report freely. The coalition believes that enacting these protections would be a significant step towards safeguarding public discourse and accountability.
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