Initiatives
Reporters Shield Program
Our Program
The Vance Center’s Reporters Shield Program assists Reporters Shield in providing its members with benefits, including defense against defamation and related legal threats and claims.
Working with our network of regional coordinators and other lawyers, we provide pre-publication legal review in certain instances and identify and engage lawyers to represent members in legal proceedings.
Meet our coordinator network here, and see below an open call for lawyers interested in providing services to Reporters Shield members.
About Reporters Shield
Reporters Shield is a a membership organization defending investigative reporting around the world from legal threats that seek to stifle free expression.
Media outlets and other public interest reporting organizations are facing growing legal threats and attacks. These attacks use the legal system to pressure, intimidate, and undermine independent reporting through SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation).
Together with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), the Vance Center conceptualized Reporters Shield to respond to these expanding threats and provide a practical solution to the increasing danger these lawsuits pose to public interest reporting organizations.
Find more information about membership benefits and the membership application process here.
