First PNG National Press Club spotlights SLAPPs as threat to free speech

PNG NPC: Eddit Tanago, Campaign Manager with ACT NOW PNG was the featured speaker for the the first MCPNG PNG National Press Club event for 2025. Pic: MCPNG

THE first PNG National Press Club event for the year featured Eddie Tanago, Campaign Manager with ACT NOW PNG.

Mr. Tanago’s presentation highlighted the dangers of SLAPPs or Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation laws which are used to stifle public commentary or reporting on important and most times, sensitive issues. These kinds of laws are real risks to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

“Rather than seeking to obtain a favourable decision and compensation, SLAPPs aim to intimidate critics and the media, drain their resources in costly legal proceedings and undermine active public engagement and freedom of speech,” Mr. Tanago said.

He added that there has been a rise in the use of this technique by big corporations and governments to suppress freedom of speech. He said journalists, human rights defenders, whistle blowers and critics are the main targets of SLAPP suits.

Mr. Tanago also said that in some countries, such as the United States, Great Britain, Australia and the European Union, they have moved to outlaw SLAPPs as an abuse of the legal system and lawyers who help clients use SLAPPs can face professional misconduct charges.

The PNG National Press Club is the Council’s premiere public information and engagement platform. Facilitated in partnership with the National Broadcasting Corporation as Broadcast Partner and the Media Development Initiative (MDI) under ABC International Development, it is scheduled for the last Wednesday at the end of every quarter this year.