The state’s highest court has rejected a bid by a reporter to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed against her by a developer.

The reporter had said she should be covered by a Massachusetts law designed to protect citizens against lawsuits by corporations for exercising their right to petition the government.

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled Monday that the law against "strategic lawsuits against public participation" did not protect Fredda Hollander, a reporter for a community newspaper in Boston’s North End. She was sued by Steven Fustolo, a real estate developer.

The SJC ruled that Hollander, a community activist, wrote articles about Fustolo as a paid journalist, not as a citizen activist.

Fustolo claims Hollander defamed him and inflamed community opposition to his development plans.

Some say the ruling could have a chilling effect on journalists.