Osinbajo and the SLAPP Option (Opinion)

As a student of journalism, who had some level of training in Media Law and Ethics, I understand the use of Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation – SLAPP to achieve press censorship.

According to Wikipedia, SLAPP is a lawsuit that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition.

Kevin M. Goldberg, in his article titled “SLAPP Lawsuits Pose Threat by Intimidation” which was published by the National Press Foundation on October 6, 2016, posited that
“Someone faced with a SLAPP action generally ends up agreeing to retract their statements, apologize, or refrain from further comment on the matter in order to stay out of court.”

As a Professor of Law, public officer and politician, I am sure that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo understands his limits regarding suing for defamation.

He also knows that he does not need to waive his immunity to be investigated.

Therefore, from my understanding of this game of political communication, what is being employed is intimidation to achieve their plot to prevent further publication of negative stuffs against the VP, at least in the mainstream media.

Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation – SLAPP is the game.

They have used the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to subdue the broadcast stations and are employing threat of lawsuits to box the print media into self-censorship.

However, the Social Media has destroyed Media Tyranny.

Therefore, the mainstream media can be intimidated to backout and subject itself to self-censorship, the Social Media is available for prompt and more effective information dissemination.

Aluta Continua…

Lere Olayinka is my name. I am on the topmost part of Oke Agbonna in Okemesi Ekiti attending the Conference of Irunmales, the tyrants can come here if they wish.

DAZZOL