Daphne’s Law: European Parliament approves directive against SLAPPs

The directive is also known as ‘Daphne’s Law’ in reference to slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was facing more than 40 lawsuits before her assassination.

It aims to shield critical voices from abusive cross-border legal actions intended to silence them, by enabling judges to identify SLAPPs and order their early dismissal.

Following the EU member states’ agreement in November and the EP’s final vote on Tuesday, the member states now have two years to implement the directive.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola described the final vote on ‘Daphne’s Law’ as “a watershed moment”.

Metsola was entrusted with drafting a so-called ‘own-initiative report’ to request the European Commission to put forward a legislative proposal in 2021.

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved. A strong anti-SLAPP directive that provides cover to journalists and activists in the crossfire, who are threatened and harassed day and night for doing their job, who have nowhere else to turn to”, Metsola said.

PN MEP David Casa pointed out that the directive’s provisions should also be applied to domestic cases, as recommended by the European Commission.

“We must work hard to ensure that this happens all across the EU and especially in Malta”, Casa said in a statement.

Casa and Metsola were among 30 MEPs who called for the anti-SLAPP directive four years ago.