22 Nov Regional Conference – Voices Without Fear: The Region Against SLAPPs
Miljenko Dereta Space, Dobračina 55, Belgrade, Serbia
28 November 2024
9.30 – 10.00 Welcome coffee and registration of participants
10:00 – 10:05 Opening Remarks
Uroš Jovanović – Public Policy Program Manager at Civic Initiatives
H.E. Martijn Elgersma – Dutch Ambassador in Belgrade
10:05 – 10:15 Launch of the SLAPP Website & Database
Uroš Jovanović – Public Policy Program Manager at Civic Initiatives
10.15 – 11.00 Diving into Media Pluralism: The Role of Alternative News Media Online
In the digital age, alternative news media play a crucial role in fostering media pluralism and providing diverse perspectives. This panel will explore the significant contributions of online alternative news outlets, delving into the challenges these media face, particularly the impact of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), which serve as targeting mechanisms to undermine their work and silence dissenting voices.
Presenters:
Dr. Sofia Verza – Research Associate at Center for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom
Tirşe Erbaysal Filibeli – Associate Professor at Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Communication (online)
11.00 – 12.00 In the Courtroom: How to Keep Up with Defending Ourselves and Still Do Our Jobs?
This panel will provide an in-depth look at the realities journalists face when confronted with SLAPP lawsuits. Through firsthand accounts, panellists will share how SLAPPs influence their reporting, the psychological toll of navigating court proceedings, and the strategies they employ to balance their legal battles with their journalistic responsibilities.
Panellists:
Bojan Elek – Project Manager at the Crime and Corruption Research Network
Saška Cvetkovska – Investigative reporter, Investigative Reporting Lab (IRL)
Gordana Andrić – journalist at BIRN Srbija
Lavdosh Ferruni – journalist
Moderator:
Tamara Filipović Stevanović – Secretary General at the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
12.00 – 12:15 Break
12:15 – 13.15 Activism at Risk: The Impact of SLAPPs on Advocacy
In this panel, the profound effects of SLAPP lawsuits on activists and their advocacy efforts will be examined. Activists often find themselves at the forefront of social change, yet they face increasing legal threats aimed at silencing their voices. Through powerful stories and experiences shared by panellists, the effects on how SLAPPs disrupt advocacy work, instil fear, and create obstacles to pursuing important social justice issues will be explored. This discussion will also highlight strategies for resilience and solidarity among activists, emphasizing the importance of collective action in defending the right to advocate for change.
Panellists:
Sunčica Kovačević – environmental activist from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Denis Mekić, environmental activist from Montenegro
Miodrag Vujović, activist from Montenegro, KOD
Dragana Arsić, environmental activist from Serbia
Moderator:
Iva Marković, Polekol
13:15 – 14.15 Protection mechanisms: Can we rely on our legal systems for protection?
This panel will critically assess the effectiveness of state mechanisms in protecting activists, journalists, and civil society from the threats posed by SLAPP lawsuits and other forms of judicial harassment. Experts and advocates will discuss the current legal frameworks in place and evaluate whether they provide adequate safeguards for those targeted for their work in promoting transparency and accountability. Panellists will share insights on the gaps in protection, the role of international standards, and the importance of advocating for stronger legal provisions.
Jelena Brkić, Project Manager at the Center for the Promotion of Civil Society
Petar Knežević, Project Coordinator at the Center for the Development of Non-governmental Organizations
Simona Mladenovska, Policy and Advocacy Officer at the Balkan Civil Society Development Network
Shqipe Gjocaj, Research Associate at the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation
Kruna Savović, attorney-at-law
Moderator:
Tara Petrović, Civic Space Research Officer at CIVICUS
14.15 – 15.15 Lunch Break
15.15 – 16.15 What can we learn from abroad? International practices and recommendations
This panel will explore valuable insights from international experiences regarding the transposition of the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive, recommendations from the European Commission” (non-binding but accompanying the Directive) and the recommendations from the Council of Europe. Experts will discuss how these legal frameworks can inform and influence the protection of activists and journalists in the Western Balkans, particularly within the context of EU accession processes. The panel will analyse the implications of adopting such directives for enhancing media freedom and protecting public participation.
Panellists:
Corinne Vella, the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation (online)
Dominique Thierry, OSCE Mission in Serbia
Biljana Spasovska, Balkan Civil Society Development Network
Moderator: Uroš Jovanović, Civic Initiatives
16:15 – 16.30 Conference Closing Remarks
This regional conference has been made possible with the support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the MATRA program.