How to talk about civic space: A guide for progressive civil society facing smear campaigns

This guide is a tool for campaigners who wish to push back against smear campaigns aimed at destroying public trust in civil society organiztions (CSOs) that promote progressive causes. The recommendations and findings are also likely to be useful for those working in academia, national human rights institutions and international organisations that promote and protect progressive causes like human rights and are interested in engaging a public audience. As well as constituting intimidation of themselves, smear campaigns are often used by authoritarian governments and their allies to create public support for (or depress resistance against) regulatory measures to inhibit the work of CSOs.