Fighting SLAPPs: What Can Media, Lawyers, and Funders Do?

The damage done by SLAPPs is far-reaching and curbing it is an imperative for media freedom. In many countries, law reform is critical but not the only response. This report discusses tactics that journalists, activists, and defense lawyers can use to defang SLAPPs, including setting up mutual insurance mechanisms, pooling resources, and advocating for changes to court rules.

Media Reform amid Political Upheaval: Lessons from Burma, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tunisia, and Ukraine

Countries experiencing political upheaval often embark on media sector reform, but many efforts fall short in their implentation. By analyzing historical and ongoing case studies of countries in transition—Burma, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tunisia, and Ukraine—key lessons emerge about catalyzing momentum for a grassroots, demand-driven media reform vision even in the most volatile countries.

Making Big Tech Pay for the News They Use

As policymakers around the world consider how to rebalance the relationship between Big Tech and the news industry, it is imperative that they take a global view and consider the implications for independent news outlets in developing and low-income countries.

Tracking Media Development Donor Funding

International donors, both public and private, play an essential role in media development worldwide. Visit our Media Development Donor Profiles page for all of CIMA’s research on donor funding levels and strategic priorities.

What is Media Development?

The term “media development” refers to evolution and change in the fields of news media and communications. This evolution can be stimulated by donor support, private investment, or indigenous processes of change led by media owners, managers, journalists, or other players such as media industry associations, or other collective efforts.

CIMA's Most Recent

Publication

Fighting SLAPPs: What Can Media, Lawyers, and Funders Do?

Strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPPs, are lawsuits taken against media organizations or activists with the sole purpose of silencing them. Cases are reported in increasing numbers across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The damage done by SLAPPs is far-reaching and curbi...
CIMA's

Events

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

Windows of Opportunity: Media Reform During Political Openings

Windows of Opportunity: Media Reform During Political Openings Wednesday, December 7, 2022 9:45 a.m....

Tuesday, September 20th, 2022

Should Big Tech Pay for the News?: Policy Interventions to Rebalance the Relationship

Should Big Tech Pay for the News?: Policy Interventions to Rebalance the Relationship Tuesday, Septe...

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Breaking the Silence: Countering the Effect of SLAPPs on Independent Media

Breaking the Silence: Countering the Effect of SLAPPs on Independent Media Wednesday, March 23, 2022...

CIMA's Blog

The Source

Toward an inclusive approach to supporting media freedom

Toward an inclusive approach to supporting media freedom

Year in Review: Top 5 CIMA Publications of 2022

Year in Review: Top 5 CIMA Publications of 2022

Covering the Authoritarian Playbook: How Coda Story Gets to the Root of Global Crises

Covering the Authoritarian Playbook: How Coda Story Gets to the Root of Global Crises

'Alternative Means': How Civil Society in Southern Africa Can Combat Impunity

‘Alternative Means’: How Civil Society in Southern Africa Can Combat Impunity

Rebalancing the Relationship Between Big Tech and News Media

Rebalancing the Relationship Between Big Tech and News Media

La Verdad del Autoritarismo Digital en Venezuela

La Verdad del Autoritarismo Digital en Venezuela

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