... In 2016, Socfin and Socapalm filed a defamation claim against several media outlets and NGOs following the publication of articles about Cameroonian villagers who raised concerns about the impact of palm oil plantations run by the companies on their livelihoods, and in particular alleged land-grabbing.

However, in 2018, the defendants were acquitted based on good faith reporting on a public interest debate. The companies withdrew their appeal of the decision.