Anti-protest, anti-speech repression
A worrisome challenge that numerous corporate accountability advocates, human rights defenders, and rightsholders face, as well as journalists and media organizations, is corporate-sponsored attempts to curb our rights to protest or speak out against them.
A prominent coalition of CSOs, the“Protect the Protest” Task Force”,leads the resistance against these efforts.
According to the “Protect the Protest” Task Force”, “A growing number of corporations, law firms, and individuals are attempting to intimidate public watchdogs with a range of repressive tactics, notably ‘Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation’ (SLAPPs). SLAPPs masquerade as legitimate civil lawsuits, but are an abuse of the court system and a threat to democracy. For decades, powerful interests have filed these meritless lawsuits, knowing they can’t win but hoping to intimidate and silence public watchdogs. Abusing the courts to silence free speech is part of a global trend. Attempts to close civic space have intensified around the world as those who speak truth to power are harassed, jailed, and even killed. Legislatures are passing laws to criminalize protests. Journalists are being restricted in their ability to report on sensitive issues. Governments are not the only ones responsible for suppressing free speech, freedom of assembly, and dissent. Corporations and billionaire bullies are using SLAPPs to try to limit the First Amendment rights of their critics.”
A related concern is the withdrawal of corporate and government advertising for media organizations. While the media serves as a particular form of resistance against capture, corporations and governments exert pressure to limit the actions of journalists and news organizations perceived as hostile.
For instance, in South Africa, during the Zondo Commission proceedings and the aftermath of the Gupta-Zuma scandal, the State stopped funding critical media outlets by withdrawing advertising contracts, leading to censorship and closure of news outlets.