Defamation and Related Actions against Journalists

Defamation—including libel and slander—is often exploited to suppress free expression, particularly targeting journalists. Although modern human rights law aims to balance protecting reputation with ensuring free speech, overly punitive defamation laws can chill dissent and enable strategic lawsuits against critics. Defending defamation lawsuits often leads to SLAPPs, where plaintiffs use litigation to intimidate critics into silence.

Types
Resource Hub Types
Region
Resource Hub - Regions
Language
Resource Hub - Languages

MENA

ماژول‌های آموزشی درباره‌ی دادخواهی مربوط به آزادی بیان و حقوق دیجیتال

واحد آموزشی ۱: اصول اساسی حقوق بین‌الملل و آزادی بیان واحد آموزشی ۲: مقدمه‌ای بر حقوق دیجیتال واحد آموزشی ۳: دسترسی به اینترنت واحد آموزشی ۴: حریم خصوصی داده‌ها و حفاظت از داده‌ها واحد آموزشی ۵: افترا واحد آموزشی ۶:

MENA

Defamation

• Defamation is frequently used to unjustly stifle dissent. However, it can provide a genuine remedy for those whose reputations are harmed by the statements or actions of others. • Criminal defamation is generally considered to be disproportionate under international

MENA

وحدات تعليمية حول التقاضي بشأن حرية التعبير والحقوق الرقمية

الوحدة التعليمية 1: المبادئ األساسية للقانون الدولي وحرية التعبير الوحدة التعليمية 2: مقدمة في الحقوق الرقمية الوحدة التعليمية 3: الوصول إلى اإلنترنت الوحدة التعليمية 4: خصوصية البيانات وحماية البيانات الوحدة التعليمية 5: التشهير الوحدة التعليمية 6: خطاب الكراهية الوحدة التعليمية

Latin America

Difamación y Reputación

INTRODUCCIÓN Las acciones legales por difamación son un método ampliamente utilizado para sofocar la libertad de expresión, el disenso y la crítica, particularmente de los periodistas. Si bien las leyes sobre difamación tienen el objetivo legítimo de proporcionar a las

Sub-Saharan Africa

Trends in Censorship by Private Actors

This module aims to: Introduction States’ obligations to uphold and respect rights, including digital rights, are a cornerstone of international law.(1) However, there is growing appreciation in international law and human rights that much of the digital space, and the

Sub-Saharan Africa

Diffamation

Introduction La diffamation est une méthode notoire pour étouffer la liberté d’expression et la dissidence, en particulier des journalistes. Si les lois sur la diffamation visent à offrir aux individus un recours contre les déclarations publiques susceptibles de nuire à

Latin America

Difamación y Reputación

Introducción Las acciones legales por difamación son un método ampliamente utilizado para sofocar la libertad de expresión, el disenso y la crítica, particularmente de los periodistas. Si bien las leyes sobre difamación tienen el objetivo legítimo de proporcionar a las

South and Southeast Asia

Defamation

Introduction The use of meritless defamation proceedings is a notorious method of stifling freedom of expression and dissent, particularly of journalists. While defamation laws aim to provide individuals with a remedy for public statements that harm their reputation, they inevitably come

Sub-Saharan Africa

Defamation

Introduction Defamation proceedings, subject to the intention with which they are launched, can either be a tool or a weapon. As a tool, it can enable legal redress on the basis of the infringement of rights, such as the right

Europe

Defamation and Reputation

Defamation is a notorious tactic used to suppress freedom of expression, notably affecting journalists. While defamation laws intend to safeguard individuals from public statements that could tarnish their reputation or dignity, they frequently clash with the right to free expression