ROCKBRIDGE LEGAL PARTNER VIKTORIJA JARKINA-TOČA TO SHARE INSIGHTS ON MEDIA LAW

We are pleased that RockBridge Legal Partner and sworn attorney Viktorija Jarkina-Toča will participate in an interview as one of the experts and share her insights on media law in a study organized by the Ministry of Culture to improve the safety of journalists. The study is being conducted by a research team from the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences, represented by Professor and Senior Researcher Anda Rožukalne, Associate Professor Ilva Skulte, and Assistant Professor Alnis Stakle.  

The aim of the interview is to explore Viktorija Jarkina-Toča’s experience in court cases against media outlets that exhibit characteristics of SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) litigation. SLAPP lawsuits are characterized by unequal party relations, a lack of genuine legal basis, a chilling effect, and a potential cross-border element. In the European Union, these lawsuits are recognized as a serious problem, and on April 27, 2022, the European Commission developed a recommendation to protect journalists and human rights defenders against such unfounded or abusive claims.  

The interview will also discuss proposals on how to identify and monitor SLAPP cases in Latvia, how to improve regulations to more effectively protect journalists and media, and what changes would be necessary in the regulations concerning criminal and administrative offenses to ensure their proper protection.