Web Wednesday: Free Speech May Not Be So Free

Lawsuit Internet The Internet can seem like an open forum for people to rant and rave. But more and more individuals are being held to account for what they write.

by Kesshia Peyton

Published: Wed, September 23, 2009 - 3:31 am CST Last Updated: Wed, September 23, 2009 - 8:32 am CST

PARADE.COM - The Internet can seem like an open forum for people to rant and rave. But more and more, individuals are being held to account for what they write. A Chicago realty company sued a tenant this summer for $50,000 after she wrote online that her apartment was moldy. Another blogger was ordered to pay $1.8 million after calling someone a “failed lawyer.” A suit filed by a chiropractor who received a negative review online was settled out of court.
Many of us rely on Web reviews for honest feedback about everything from restaurants to electronics to doctors. But when does opinion cross the line into libel?
“People have the right to free speech,” explains Matt Zimmerman, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which defends digital rights. “But they’ve never had the right to defame someone. They still don’t.” The general rule is that you can be held responsible for spreading false statements that hurt someone’s reputation, whether you post them online, publish them in a newspaper, or whisper them at a cocktail party.
— Rebecca Webber (Published Sept. 20, 2009)
www.parade.com "Online Comments Spark Lawsuits"

Web Wednesday:

Because we have the right to free speech, do you think it's fair that you could be sued for posting your opinions about someone or a business online?
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rmseek1234 Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 3:19 pm

I agree XcCity!lol Personally, I’m not seeing as what these people said was defamatory.

I can say it is a nice change not to be at someone’s throat on here though (for the moment)

marymack1983 Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 3:19 pm

If you are worried about someone spreading rumors about you then you should do your job correct. Rumors are started everyday and most people live through them

XcCity Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 3:15 pm

So glad to live in a country where I have freedom of speech. But, only if it doesn’t offend anyone!

Citronellemomma Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 12:03 pm

If you say it, you better be able to back it up….I TRY not to say anything that I would not be able to say in person about anything or anyone…..

carl Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 8:40 am

Love that lying through your teeth remark,been a while since I’ve heard it.Yep! big difference between giving an opinion and just trying to defame someone.If you have no opinion then you have no free thought.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 7:35 am

There is a difference between expressing an opinion and lying through your teeth in an effort to defame someone. The truth is always the best defense against charges of libel, slander and defamation of character. If a person makes damaging claims, then they best be prepared to come forth with the evidence.

Alabama Patriot Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:38 am

Agreed. Opinions are only free speech. Many people express opinions about things they like and dislike in this world and especially in this country. Most of the time a person will express an opinion that is also the opinion of thousands of other people. Sometimes, a person’s opinion alerts others about a problem in the way a local government agency is not representing the will of the people be it by using unorthodox and totally unfair methods to annex certain areas of a county or by being biased towards a particular sporting event, or even dicriminating against certain ethnic groups in the handling of government affairs. On the other hand, opinions can praise people for things that benefit society and bring happiness to them. An opinion only expresses a person’s likes and dislikes about things that government officials or others do that has not been ethical,responsible, or fair towards society in general. Sometimes a person points out a major problem with the way a local government maintains the city and how the city raises revenue and spends taxpayer revenue. All of this just tends to inform and educate the other members of the public about things that they should know about. Calling people names is wrong if the names are not true, but describing the way certain people in government mishandle things like annexations, taxations, and law enforcement questions is justified if those opinions actually cause positive changes to be made. Muzzeling free speech is wrong. JMO

carl Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 6:04 am

Absolutely not if it’s an opinion and is stated as such,or the line between defameing someone and giving an opinion would never be found,thus effectively squashing free speech and advanced warnings.Every one,doctors,lawyers and such would be afraid to give opinions if this were allowed to stand.