Bulgaria adopts law to shield journalists from abusive SLAPP suits
The Bulgarian parliament approved legislation aimed at protecting journalists, activists and others from strategic lawsuits intended to silence criticism.
On Wednesday, Bulgaria's parliament passed a bill designed to curb strategic lawsuits against public participation, which are often used by wealthy parties to intimidate journalists and NGOs. While the EU directive of 2024 obliges member states to protect against cross-border abuse, Bulgaria chose to extend those safeguards to purely domestic actions. The legislation mandates swift court rulings, early dismissal of clearly baseless claims, and stricter rules on interim measures like asset freezes.
It also reaches cases already pending that have not yet held a hearing. Alexander Kashumov, a lawyer experienced with SLAPP cases, called the law a "major step forward" amid dozens of pending suits costing tens to hundreds of thousands of euros each. Reporters Without Borders recently ranked Bulgaria 71st out of 180, describing its press environment as fragile and unstable.
Why it matters
The law aims to prevent costly legal tactics that silence media and civil society, strengthening free expression in Bulgaria.
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