The first SLAPP Contest for the Western Balkans kicks off with a social media campaign and will culminate in an award ceremony on November 28, 2024 in Belgrade, bringing together civil society organizations, activists, and journalists in the fight against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). This initiative aims to spotlight the intimidating effects SLAPPs have on freedom of expression, civic activism, and democracy in the region, while publicly shaming those who file these lawsuits against individuals working in the public interest.
The contest is organized by the European Fund for the Balkans, in cooperation with Civic Initiatives from Serbia, inspired by the European SLAPP Contest held annually by the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe. A panel of regional and international experts will select winners in two categories, while the public will have the opportunity to choose a winner in a separate category through online voting.
A SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) is a lawsuit filed against individuals or organizations with the aim of intimidating, silencing, and ultimately preventing their participation in public debate. These lawsuits pose a serious threat to journalists and activists, often leading to self-censorship and stifling critical issues of public concern.
By highlighting these issues, the SLAPP Contest for the Western Balkans seeks to foster a culture of accountability by drawing attention to those who misuse legal avenues to suppress the fight for the public good. The event will serve as a platform for participants and experts to exchange knowledge on effective strategies for combating SLAPPs and promoting freedom of expression.
The Western Balkans SLAPP Contest will present awards in three categories:
1. Environmental Degrader – This category highlights those who have harmed environmental activism or reporting through SLAPPs.
2. Obstructor of Transparency – This category recognizes those who have attempted to silence efforts for transparency and public discourse.
3. People’s Choice Award – This category empowers the public to vote for their preferred candidate, emphasizing support for activists and journalists in their work.
Given the significance of this issue for various groups increasingly targeted by SLAPP lawsuits from different centers of power, including the media as frequent targets, we hope you will support this effort. Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of this issue and promote the freedom of expression and the fight for the public interest across the region.
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