Watch the recording below of our webinar in collaboration with Journalismfund Europe, where we discussed the risks faced by environmental journalists and explored ways to mitigate them with a legal expert from Media Defence.
As global environmental disasters increasingly hammered home the realities of climate change, the need for in-depth reporting had never been greater. Environmental journalists were at the forefront of holding states and private actors to account for practices that harm the planet. Yet, this essential work often came with significant risks.
Over the past 15 years, at least 749 journalists were attacked, and 44 killed, for reporting on environmental issuesโmaking it one of the most dangerous beats globally, second only to war reporting. Countless others suffered online violence, surveillance, harassment, intimidation, cyberattacks, and SLAPP lawsuits.
To address these challenges, Journalismfund Europe and Media Defence hosted a webinar to explore the legal threats faced by environmental journalists and provide practical advice and support.
Speakers
Sabah A. โ Media Defence Lawyer (Key Speaker)
Sabah is a qualified solicitor with over a decade of legal experience, specialising in media defence and human rights law. She joined Media Defence in 2018 and has worked across a broad range of freedom of expression cases, with a particular focus on SLAPPs, defamation, internet shutdowns, and spyware. During the webinar, Sabah provided an overview of key legal risks for environmental reporters, how to challenge restrictive measures, and best practices for legal protection.
Barฤฑล Altฤฑntaล โ Journalist & Co-Director, Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
An Istanbul-based journalist and media rights advocate, Barฤฑล co-directs MLSA, offering legal assistance to journalists under threat. She is also a founding board member of the Balkan Network of Science Journalists (BNSJ). Earlier in her career, she reported on environmental issues, science, and politics for various news agencies and newspapers, and later covered justice and press freedom as a freelance journalist.
Maciek Piasecki โ Freelance Environmental Journalist
Maciek has been following human rights movements in Poland, Belarus, and other European countries for almost a decade, specialising in live coverage of protest events and humanitarian efforts. His footage was admitted as crucial evidence by Polish courts in cases where activists were accused of illegal actions by law enforcement.
During the session, Maciek shared three case studies of his legal proceedings against the Polish police related to his work on climate and humanitarian direct action: one where he was violently arrested while filming at a protest; another in which he was acquitted of a misdemeanour after a lengthy court battle; and a third in which the court has yet to decide whether to drop the case filed by police following a change in government in Poland. He also offered practical advice for journalists covering protests.
Maciek encouraged participants to reach out to him via email: maciek@maciekpiasecki.com
Key Topics Covered:
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SLAPPs, Defamation, and Beyond: The webinar explored the evolving tactics used to silence journalists, particularly in Europe. In addition to traditional defamation claims, new charges are emergingโincluding economic offences and data protection violations. Speakers provided insights into the legal challenges faced by journalists covering environmental protests.
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Case Studies of Environmental Journalists Facing Legal Threats: Attendees heard about real-world legal cases, criminal charges, and extradition risks facing journalists in various jurisdictions.
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Media Defenceโs Support Framework: The session outlined how Media Defence offers vital legal support, connects journalists with a global network of lawyers, provides emergency financial assistance for legal cases, and pursues strategic litigation to defend press freedom and fight impunity for crimes against environmental journalists.
