Campaigners for press freedom have welcomed an amendment that will make it harder to silence UK journalists exposing economic crime – but have urged the government to go further in cracking down on intimidation lawsuits.
A new addition to the Economic Crime Bill will for the first time offer individuals in England and Wales some formal protection from aggressive legal action known as SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation), granting judges power to dismiss cases that meet the criteria at an early stage.
The amendment is being introduced in the House of Lords today. It is backed by the government and is likely to become law when the bill is passed later this year.
