E125: Rewind - Anti-SLAPP

E125: Rewind - Anti-SLAPP

Author: MDDC Press Association August 6, 2025 Duration: 50:59

Rebecca Snyder welcomes Max Mishkin with Ballard Spahr for an in-depth discussion on the evolving battle against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) within the Maryland General Assembly. Max, an attorney with a keen insight into media defense, unravels the complex nature of SLAPP suits, explaining their strategic use to silence critics through the burdensome costs and stresses of litigation rather than seeking justice through legal victories.

The conversation sheds light on the nuances distinguishing SLAPP suits from ordinary libel and defamation cases, highlighting their broader implications on free speech and public participation. Max elucidates the foundational aspects of libel law, including the pivotal role of actual malice in defamation cases and how SLAPP suits weaponize legal processes to discourage dissent.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersections of law, journalism, and the ongoing struggle to safeguard democratic principles through the right to free speech.


Ever wonder how a major local story really came together, or what a reporter was thinking when they asked that tough question? Five Dubs Podcast pulls back the curtain on the newsrooms across Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. Hosts Rebecca Snyder and Kevin Berrier, through the MDDC Press Association, sit down with the journalists themselves to explore the how and why behind the headlines you read each day. This isn't just a recap of the news; it's a conversation about the process, the challenges, and the sometimes surprising human stories that unfold during the pursuit of a story. In each episode, you'll hear firsthand accounts of what it takes to cover communities in this dynamic region, from the initial tip to the published piece. The Five Dubs Podcast offers a unique, insider perspective on the function and future of local media, making the landscape of regional journalism more accessible and understandable. It’s for anyone curious about the mechanics of news gathering and the people dedicated to telling our local stories.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Five Dubs Podcast
Podcast Episodes
E122: Rewind - Best Move with The Baltimore Banner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:05
Join us with The Baltimore Banner's standout achievement of 2023 with Editor-in-Chief Kimi Yoshino and Sports Editor Chris Korman. Discover how their strategic move to build a dedicated sports team has revolutionized the…
E120: Innovation takeaways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:39
What does it take for news organizations to evolve and stay relevant? In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Emily Ristow, Director of Journalism Strategy at the American Press Institute, who shares key innovation lessons…
E119: Religion News Service [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:15
Rebecca Snyder sits down with Deborah Caldwell, CEO of Religion News Service, for an in-depth conversation about the evolving role of religion in American journalism. Deborah unpacks why religion reporting still matters…
E118: Journalist Trauma Support Network [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:19
CORRECTION: Emily Sachs states the Dart Center was founded in 1994, but it was founded in 1999.Journalists often report on the worst moments of others' lives, but who supports them? In this episode, Emily Sachs, clinical…
E117: New news formats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:15
What does local journalism look like in the age of evolving media platforms? In this episode, longtime columnist and radio host Dan Rodricks joins Rebecca to talk about adapting storytelling for today's audiences. From h…
E116: 48 years at The AFRO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:30
Rebecca Snyder sits down with the remarkable Denise Dorsey, who recently retired after an incredible 48-year career at The Afro. From her start in the advertising department in 1976 to her pivotal role as production mana…
E115: Baltimore uprising ten years later [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:00
Rebecca Snyder sits down with Lisa Snowden, founder of the Baltimore Beat, to reflect on the 10th anniversary of Freddie Gray’s death and the uprising that followed. Lisa shares the process behind the Beat’s commemorativ…
E114: Rookie of the year nominees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:09
Join Rebecca Snyder as she hosts a powerful conversation with the 2024 MDDC Rookie of the Year nominees — six emerging women journalists who’ve tackled the chaos, challenges, and triumphs of their first jobs in news. Fro…
E113: Backroom Deals in our Backyards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:33
Rebecca Snyder sits down with award-winning journalist and author Miranda Spivack to dive into Backroom Deals in Our Backyard, Miranda’s powerful new book exposing the hidden world of local government secrecy and corpora…