(de-news.net) – Measures aimed at strengthening protections against intimidation lawsuits directed at journalists, researchers, and civil‑society actors have been endorsed by the German federal cabinet. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (CDU) introduced a draft law designed to transpose an existing EU regulation into German domestic law, thereby creating a more coherent legal framework for addressing such cases. These lawsuits—commonly described as harassment or SLAPP actions—are typically deployed to pressure, silence, or deter individuals engaged in work that serves the public interest. Under the proposed legal mechanism, courts would be required to prioritize these proceedings and apply accelerated procedures, enabling unfounded or strategically motivated claims to be dismissed at an early stage. The draft also foresees that plaintiffs may be obliged to provide financial security to cover the expected legal costs of both sides and could be subject to additional fees intended to discourage abusive litigation.

Hubig argued that democratic systems rely fundamentally on open public debate and a free, independent press, and she maintained that intimidation lawsuits have become a growing concern across several European democracies in recent years. She stressed that dissenting or critical voices must not be driven out of public life through coercive legal tactics or the threat of costly proceedings. At the European level, Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation already form part of the regulatory landscape, shaped in part by the experience of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana, who faced a series of defamation suits designed to silence her prior to her killing in 2027. Her case has been widely cited as evidence of the need for stronger, harmonized safeguards.

Before the proposed German legislation can enter into force, it must still secure approval from the Bundestag. This will mark a significant step in determining the final scope and implementation of the new protections.