Wisconsin Democrats want to ban sham lawsuits as GOP senator continues fight against local news site
Associated PressMADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Democrats on Tuesday proposed barring the use of expensive, sham lawsuits to silence criticism after a Republican state senator was accused of trying to bankrupt a local news outlet for reporting on his alleged use of a homophobic slur. “Even if the suit is not viable, which is the case with Sen. Tomczyk’s lawsuit, the cost and the stress associated with these frivolous, lengthy litigation processes are oftentimes enough to create chilling effects.” The kinds of meritless lawsuits targeted by the bill are commonly referred to as strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP. “I’m incredibly grateful that this legislation is being proposed to protect journalists and small news organizations like ours in the future.” In the GOP-controlled state Legislature, however, the bill is unlikely to pass. “Local news outlets are absolutely vital to the important business of having an informed electorate, and yet the challenges that news outlets face have never been greater.” ___ Harm Venhuizen is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.
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