7 Amendments of Alexis GEORGOULIS related to 2022/0117(COD)
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Journalists and small independent press publishers play an important role in facilitating public debate and in the imparting and reception of information, opinions and ideas. It is essential that they are afforded the necessary space to contribute to an open, free and fair debate and to counter disinformation, information manipulation and interference. Journalists should be able to conduct their activities effectively to ensure that citizens have access to a plurality of views in European democracies.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14 a) Defamation and especially criminal defamation is one of the legal instruments most typically abused for the purpose of SLAPPs (1a). A more human- rights approach should be applied in member states to decriminalize defamation, or at minimum address abusive use of criminal defamation in court proceedings and employ any possible ways to ensure that criminal defamation is included in the scope of this Directive towards the highest possible protection of defendants. _________________ 1a https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/ 2022-04/slapp_comparative_study_0.pdf
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14 b (new)
Recital 14 b (new)
(14 b) Given that most SLAPPs are on criminal cases, the scope of this Directive has to be extended to criminal procedures, even if at a later stage.
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 24 a (new)
Recital 24 a (new)
(24 a) The very broad range of SLAPPs targets calls for more resources, coordination, protection, networking, mapping, financial support and advocacy which should be achieved at the EU level.
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) If a defendant has applied for early dismissal, it should be for the claimant in the main proceedings to prove in the accelerated procedure that the claim is not manifestly unfounded abusive court proceeding. This does not represent a limitation of access to justice, taking into account that the claimant carries the burden of proof in relation to that claim in the main proceedings and only needs to meet the much lower threshold of showing that the claim is not manifestly unfounded and is not abusive in order to avoid an early dismissal.
Amendment 212 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 1 a (new)
This Directive will provide for an EU SLAPPs Coordinator which will channel funding to financially support victims of SLAPPs, either past or pending cases, create networks and hubs of sharing best practices, monitor for all SLAPPs cases at real time and regularly map SLAPPs situation in Europe, facilitate access to individual and independent support and to the relevant European Courts, issue reccomendations, raise public awareness and participate as a European Observer in SLAPPs trials.
Amendment 214 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Commission and member states shall explore how to include criminal procedures under the remit of this Directive.