12.  Declaration of policy. The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1)  There has been a disturbing increase in lawsuits brought primarily to chill the valid

§ 8340.12.  Declaration of policy. The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1)  There has been a disturbing increase in lawsuits brought primarily to chill the valid exercise of protected public expression. (2)  It is in the public interest to encourage continued participation in matters of public significance. This participation should not be chilled through abuse of the judicial process. (3)  This subchapter: (i)  grants immunity to those groups or parties exercising the rights to protected public expression; and (ii)  awards attorney fees to parties that are forced to defend against meritless claims arising from the exercise of the rights to protected public expression. (4)  Broad construction of this subchapter will implement the goals under paragraphs (2) and (3).