Scottish PEN joined 27 organisations calling on the EU to ensure that everyone who chooses to speak up and speak out is protected by any EU laws targeting Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). Read the letter to the European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourová that we co-signed

The Scottish Parliament Justice Committee has announced a call for evidence for the Defamation and Malicious Publications (Scotland) Bill.

On Thursday 12th December, the High Court passed a preliminary ruling on the defamation action brought by Arron Banks against the investigative journalist, Carole Cadwalladr. Here is a statement we co-signed calling for the action to be dropped.

On Thursday 12th December, EU Heads of State will come together for the meeting of the European Council. Scottish PEN joins 11 rights and journalist organisations calling for the European community to hold Maltese Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat to account for political interference in the investigation into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Read the opening statement by Matthew Caruana Galizia read out in the first day of the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia

Scottish PEN joined press freedom organisations calling for protections against the abuse of defamation law to silence journalism and public scrutiny.

On Monday 2nd December, the Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill was introduced to Scottish Parliament. Here is Scottish PEN’s statement on this development

We join seven organisations condemning the erosion of press freedom in Malta and the continued intimidation of journalists