---
title: "To Do: Pass Anti-SLAPP Legislation"
summary: |-
  Congress should pass federal legislation to reduce strategic lawsuits against public participation (known as SLAPPs) by creating a baseline level of protection for citizens’ rights of petition and free expression.
date: "2015-05-04"
issues: ["Internet"]
content_type: "Knowledge Base Articles"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2015/05/04/to-do-pass-anti-slapp-legislation/"
---

# To Do: Pass Anti-SLAPP Legislation

# Recommendation

Congress should pass anti-SLAPP legislation to protect public speech online.

# Details

Congress should pass federal legislation to reduce strategic lawsuits against public participation (known as SLAPPs) by creating a baseline level of protection for citizens’ rights of petition and free expression. A SLAPP effectively censors public speech by invoking the court system to intimidate critics. By enacting legislation, the federal government can both protect the rights of individuals and enable e-commerce to flourish.

**Keep reading:**

- Daniel Castro and Laura Drees, “Why We Need Federal Legislation to Protect Public Speech Online” (ITIF, May 2015), [https://itif.org/publications/2015/05/04/why-we-need-federal-legislation-protect-public-speech-online](https://itif.org/publications/2015/05/04/why-we-need-federal-legislation-protect-public-speech-online).

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2015/05/04/to-do-pass-anti-slapp-legislation/*