United States: Freelance Journalist Lisa Kwon Wins Legal Battle Over Airbnb Report, Faces Financial Strain
Women Press Freedom urges policymakers to strengthen anti-SLAPP protections to prevent frivolous defamation lawsuits against journalists like Kwon
Location: United States, Los AngelesDate: January 29, 2024
Women Press Freedom welcomes the resolution of the legal battle faced by journalist Lisa Kwon, who courageously stood her ground against a defamation lawsuit filed by a landlord following her investigative report on illegally operated Airbnbs in Los Angeles. The settlement, which dismissed the charges with prejudice, allowing Ms. Kwon to keep her story published, is a victory for press freedom and underscores the importance of protecting journalists against intimidation and silencing attempts. However, we are disappointed by the lack of support Kwon received from her newsroom, Knock LA, during this nearly two-year-long legal ordeal. The financial and emotional toll on Kwon, who ended up shouldering over $10,000 in legal fees, highlights a troubling gap in the support systems available to freelance journalists. It is essential that news organizations uphold their duty to back their reporters, especially when they engage in the kind of essential investigative work that can challenge powerful interests. Moreover, the very fact that this defamation case was allowed to proceed to the point of settlement is concerning. It serves as a reminder of how legal systems can be manipulated to suppress essential journalism and discourage reporters from uncovering uncomfortable truths. We call for stronger protections against such meritless lawsuits, which not only burden individual journalists but also threaten the broader journalistic community by setting intimidating precedents.
Freelance journalist Lisa Kwon, after reporting on illegally operated Airbnbs exacerbating the housing crisis in Los Angeles, has won a nearly two-year legal battle against a landlord who filed a defamation lawsuit in response to her investigative work. Despite the victory, Kwon faces significant financial challenges, accruing over $10,000 in legal fees.
In April 2021, Kwon published a story for Knock LA, a local progressive newsroom, detailing how some landlords were using Airbnb to evade housing regulations, leading to discrimination and harassment of tenants. The piece, based on accounts from an alliance of tenants, triggered a lawsuit from the landlord implicated in the story. Kwon, standing by her reporting, fought back with an Anti-SLAPP motion, asserting her First Amendment rights.
The case was settled out of court in January 2024, with the plaintiff withdrawing charges, allowing Kwon to keep her story published. However, the financial toll of the legal process has left Kwon with hefty expenses, with little support from Knock LA, citing their limited resources.
“I couldn’t believe I was in a situation where I wrote a story and ultimately had to pay for it,” Kwon told Annenberg Media. “That just was nauseating to me.”
Facing mounting legal fees, Kwon turned to crowdfunding. She launched a GoFundMe campaign on February 8, and within 24 hours, the journalist raised over $12,000, highlighting significant community support. This rapid response underscores the public's backing for journalistic integrity and the protection of reporters in contentious legal scenarios.
Knock LA has since reached out to Kwon, offering to discuss how they could support their contributors better. The newsroom issued a public apology, reviewed by Kwon, and posted it on social media on February 15, acknowledging their shortcomings in supporting Kwon during her legal battle.
Despite the ordeal, Kwon remains committed to her journalistic endeavors. She continues her role as a content manager at Flight Club, a high-end sneaker marketplace, and maintains her passion for uncovering stories that impact her community, particularly in Koreatown, where she resides.
“This ordeal has taught me more about protecting myself and advocating for what I need from a newsroom,” Kwon stated, reflecting on her experience.
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Lisa Kwon. Her case serves as a stark reminder of the risks freelance journalists face and the critical importance of safeguarding press freedom. We commend Kwon's resilience and encourage the broader journalism community to rally behind reporters who stand up to intimidation and legal harassment. Journalistic freedom should never come at the cost of personal and financial well-being. We urge policymakers to strengthen anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) protections to prevent frivolous defamation lawsuits from suppressing free speech. Additionally, newsrooms must commit to supporting their contributors in tangible ways, including legal assistance and financial backing, when they face legal threats for exercising their First Amendment rights.
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