Weaponisation of the Law

Across the globe, legal frameworks are being misused to silence journalists and stifle critical reporting.

Journalists worldwide face an unprecedented surge in legal threats designed to intimidate and punish those who hold power to account. From criminal defamation and cybercrime charges to strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), the law is increasingly being weaponised to stifle independent journalism and undermine press freedom.

In 2023, we partnered with Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism to publish Weaponising the Law: Attacks on Media Freedom, the first comprehensive global report to map the most serious legal threats facing journalists. Drawing on insights from 37 leading media freedom experts and nearly 500 journalists across 106 countries, the report identified eight legal threats to the profession, provided essential analysis and offered key recommendations to empower those defending media freedom worldwide.

Building on this, we are now undertaking a series of in-depth studies exploring how these global legal threats manifest within specific countries, selected because of their strategic importance, diverse legal frameworks, and vibrant media landscapes that reflect broader regional trends. The reports offer tailored insights into the unique pressures journalists face in these national contexts, robust reviews of the legal provisions and vulnerabilities that impact news reporting, and propose recommendations to strengthen media freedom, informed by a panel of experts in each country.

These resources provide a vital toolkit for understanding and responding to these growing legal threats and underscore the urgent need for coordinated systemic action to defend media freedom and protect the public’s right to information. Our legal and media expertise enables us to not only research critical issues impacting the global media freedom landscape, but also offer support and create actionable resources that empower media professionals to exercise their rights and carry out their vital work. In our related resources, you will find our legal service for independent media, legal rights guides, pre-publication checklists and other relevant tools.

Explore the reports