Posts in SLAPPs in the News
Singer Phoebe Bridgers prevails on anti-SLAPP motion in California

On November 9, a California judge dismissed the $3.8 million defamation lawsuit against Phoebe Bridgers based on California’s anti-SLAPP statute. Representatives for Bridgers stated that the lawsuit, filed by studio owner Chris Nelson, was filed for the sole purpose of causing harm to the star’s reputation and career. Read more about the suit here.

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Massachusetts court prevents use of Anti-SLAPP law by ExxonMobil.

After facing repercussions for “misleading Massachusetts investors about the fossil fuel-driven climate change risks to its business and deceptively advertising its fossil fuel products to Massachusetts consumers.” Exxon tried to dismiss the suit using anti-SLAPP laws. The Massachusetts supreme judicial court denied the motion preserving the purpose of the anti-SLAPP law.

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Anti-SLAPP legislation proposed in Kentucky

PPP Policy Director Evan Mascagni was recently quoted in a KY Sunday Edition story on WDRB discussing proposed anti-SLAPP legislation in KY:

Mascagni, a Louisville native, praised Kulkarni for "starting this important conversation in Kentucky" and told WDRB he would be coming home this year to "help advocate for a comprehensive bi-partisan solution to this problem." 

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PPP Policy Director on CBS This Morning

PPP Policy Director Evan Mascagni was interviewed for a segment on SLAPPs for CBS This Morning.

"We're seeing a rise in individuals being sued for speaking out online," said Evan Mascagni, who works for the Public Participation Project. He says many lawsuits are designed simply to intimidate. They're called "SLAPP" lawsuits (for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation).

"A SLAPP filer doesn't go to court to seek justice; they are just trying to silence or harass or intimidate a critic of theirs," Mascagni said.

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Free speech should include criticism of development, Mount Pleasant officials urge Statehouse

A developer sued a South Carolina town in 2016 over a zoning issue, and a few residents who had spoken critically about the development were subpoenaed for their comments on the matter. “The subpoenas demanded residents' communications, including Facebook and Twitter posts, to or from other residents of Simmons Pointe, the homeowners association, the town, elected officials, appointed members of the Board of Zoning Appeals and others.” Though the lawsuit settled, Mount Pleasant Town Council urged state lawmakers to pass the Citizens Participation in Government Act of 2018. 

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Trump’s legal threats underscore need for stronger anti-SLAPP laws

Rick Blum writes:

"President Donald Trump’s legal threats against the publisher and author of the most recent insider account of the White House may strike a nerve with journalists who are fearful of expensive legal defenses and chill valuable news reporting, but the threats could lose much of their power if states or Congress strengthened a tool that judges may use to dismiss meritless lawsuits involving speech protected under the First Amendment." 
 

Read more here.

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