Buying Silence: How oligarchs, corporations and plutocrats use the law to gag their critics

The UK is the number one destination for SLAPP cases, where billionaires oligarchs use lawsuits to censor, intimidate, and silence critics of the powerful and wealthy. This book explores how the power of money enables the wealthy to crush their critics through SLAPP tactics, and what the government needs to do to stop them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: Biteback Publishing

The era of winning at all costs, whether legal or illegal, has arrived upon us. This is the era of the SLAPP case, a strategic legal strategy aimed at suppressing, intimidating, and silencing critics of the powerful and wealthy. SLAPPs, or Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, are designed to burden critics with aggressive opposing lawyers, astronomical legal costs, and intrusive and sometimes illegal private investigations until they abandon their cases. The UK holds the unfortunate distinction of being the number one destination for such cases. Billionaire oligarchs, often with criminal backgrounds and ties to organized crime, flock to the UK to launder their reputations through libel lawsuits, even when the statements made about them are entirely truthful. Moreover, these oligarchs frequently succeed in their cases or intimidate their opponents into self-censorship, resulting in a devastating blow to investigative journalism, media freedom, and the public interest.

In this timely, insightful, and often shocking book, David Hooper, a veteran media lawyer, delves into the mechanisms by which the wealthy, including Robert Maxwell, Nadhim Zahawi, and McDonald's, utilize SLAPP tactics to crush their critics. Hooper explores how those with something to hide attempt to keep it hidden from the public, how their lawyers assist them in these endeavors, and most importantly, what the government must urgently do to prevent these practices.

The book sheds light on the alarming trend of wealthy individuals and corporations using their financial resources to silence dissent and suppress the truth. It highlights the need for robust legal protections and mechanisms to safeguard the freedom of speech and the right to hold powerful individuals accountable. Hooper's comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the strategies employed by SLAPP cases and offers practical solutions to address this growing problem.

The era of winning at all costs must be confronted, and SLAPP cases must be deterred. It is essential to establish robust legal frameworks that protect the rights of individuals and journalists to report on important issues without fear of retaliation. Additionally, the government must take a proactive stance in enforcing anti-SLAPP laws and holding those responsible for these tactics accountable.

Only through a collective effort can we ensure that the freedom of speech and the pursuit of truth remain intact in our society. Let us stand up against the SLAPP case and work towards a world where the powerful are held accountable and the voices of the marginalized are heard.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785908316