Say Goodbye to Bullying Lawsuits: Stefanie Hubig's New Law to Protect German Speech
Hubig Proposes Tougher Critera for Intimidation Lawsuits
In a bold move to safeguard freedom of speech in Germany, Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig aims to tackle abusive lawsuits - often called "bullying lawsuits" – with a brand-new law. These lawsuits plague organizations, journalists, scientists, and regular individuals, creating a financial and time-consuming burden that silences them.
These lawsuits, also known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), are frivolous legal actions initiated by corporations, governments, or powerful individuals to stifle unwanted public opinions. Here's the lowdown on what's going down.
Politics and Social MediaStefanie Hubig is no stranger to speaking out for what's right. She's championing a cause for an age limit on social media platforms, maintaining that no one under 16 should have access to such sites.
With Germany following in the footsteps of Europe by drafting anti-SLAPP legislation, the law would serve to:
- Weed out lawsuits that intend to intimidate or censor instead of resolving genuine disputes.
- Simplify the process of dismissing or counteracting SLAPPs, reducing the strain on defendants.
- Bolster support for whistleblowers and activists who expose wrongdoings and speak their minds on matters of public importance.
While the specifics of Hubig's proposed law remain under wraps, the EU's anti-SLAPP directive, currently undertesting in court cases such as Greenpeace International's lawsuit in Amsterdam, offers a glimpse into what's to come. The aim is to protect those targeted by SLAPP suits and curb their use as a means of suppressing dissent.
Exorbitant Fees and Rapid ProcessingAccording to the bill yet to be published, a court may impose higher fees on the plaintiff if it recognizes an abusive lawsuit. Moreover, these cases would be expedited, and the defendants would be compensated for the costs of defending against the lawsuit.
"We must ensure that court proceedings are not misused to make life difficult for people engaging in public affairs," said Hubig. "The new law is intended to prevent this from happening."
Yes, you read that right. In this brave new world, the hectoring hand of bully lawyers may soon lose its sting.
Sources: ntv.de, mau
- Stefanie Hubig
- Federal Ministry of Justice
- Lawsuits
- Social Media Age Limit
- Stefanie Hubig's new law, aimed at combating abusive lawsuits, orSLAPPs, in Germany, seeks to protect organizations, journalists, scientists, and regular individuals from financial and time-consuming burdens, thus, promoting free speech.
- In addition to her stance on a social media age limit for minors under 16, Stefanie Hubig's proposed law includes expediting the process and imposing higher fees on the plaintiff if an abusive lawsuit is recognized, thereby deterring the misuse of court proceedings to intimidate or censor.
