Bulgarian Parliament moves to protect media from SLAPP lawsuits

The Bulgarian Parliamentary Legal Commission has approved a draft bill on its first reading aimed at protecting journalists, activists, and public figures from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), commonly referred to as “shamar” cases.

The proposed amendments to the Civil Procedure Code, introduced by the Council of Ministers, seek to prevent the judicial system from being used to silence critical opinions and public debate. The legislation introduces a new legal framework for cases involving “public participation,” which includes activities related to freedom of expression and information on matters of public interest, such as public health, safety, the environment, and corruption.

Under the new rules, a defendant can request the dismissal of a claim if it is deemed manifestly unfounded. If the court agrees, the plaintiff must justify the claim within one week; failure to do so will result in the case being dismissed in a closed session. The initiative is based on European Directive 2024/1069, which sets minimum standards for protecting those engaged in public participation against unfounded legal actions.