Yurchyshyn initiates anti-SLAPP task force

Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech, has initiated the creation of a task force to develop anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) mechanisms.

This was discussed at the May 1 meeting of the Committee, according to his Facebook post.

The Committee reminds that SLAPP suits are lawsuits filed to intimidate or silence journalists, activists, human rights advocates, or other parties expressing an important civic position.

“Such lawsuits do not seek justice, but are used as a tool of pressure. Creating the task force is an important step towards defending freedom of speech and supporting democratic values ​​in Ukraine,” the Committee added.

The Freedom of Speech Committee has invited representatives of media outlets, human rights organizations, civil society, experts, and lawyers with relevant expertise to join the task force.

To do so, you need to submit a short application describing your previous experience in anti-SLAPP work (law, human rights, advocacy, or research).

In December 2024, the Kyiv Court of Appeal upheld the ruling by the Pechersk District Court and ordered Hromadske to take down the investigation into Andriy Portnov, the former deputy head of Viktor Yanukovych's administration. The court ordered the media outlet to retract information reported in the investigation “How they robbed us of Crimea: exclusive records” and to take down the content from YouTube, the website, and social media. The editorial team was also orderd to pay over UAH 170,000 for Portnov's legal assistance and over UAH 14,000 in court fees.

Hromadske said they would not retract their statements on Portnov while the case is being tried at the Supreme Court.