Italian journalists being hit with strategic lawsuits against public participation by Italian Prime Minister
17.3.2023
Question for written answer E-000908/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Sophia in 't Veld (Renew)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently filed a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) against Italian newspaper Domani. The Prime Minister is suing two journalists for their reporting on procurement procedures in the context of COVID-19 and Meloni’s alleged role therein. Police officers also conducted a raid of the newspaper’s press room.
A coalition of major European press freedom organisations has called on Meloni to drop the lawsuit. It has also advocated for the reform of Italian civil and criminal defamation laws. The Commission has not denounced this SLAPP action, with Vice-President Věra Jourova stating that she cannot comment on individual cases.
- 1.Does the Commission agree that these SLAPPs and the police raid constitute grave threats to media freedom in Italy and will have a serious chilling effect?
- 2.Can it clarify why it stresses the importance of media freedom, while simultaneously refusing to condemn attacks on journalists by government leaders and ministers?
- 3.Can it share its view on the fact that, in several Member States, government leaders and ministers are issuing SLAPPs against journalists, yet, in their capacity as members of the Council and therefore as EU co-legislator, they have to vote on anti-SLAPP legislation?
Submitted: 17.3.2023