Should bloggers and tweeters be subject to the same libel and slander laws as traditional media outlets?

Poll Jan. 14, 2013 - 05:52AM JST ( 8 )

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8 Comments

4

Akemi MokotoJan. 14, 2013 - 06:03AM JST

To be honest, I don't even think the media should be subject to such laws unless politicians are held accountable too. In the US, they run extremely nasty ads about each other, and most of the times they are false ads yet nobody is punished. Either punish EVERYBODY or punish NOBODY, but don't exclude a particular group.
0

FadamorJan. 14, 2013 - 11:42PM JST

Who says bloggers and tweeters are NOT subject to slander laws? If it can be proven they knew the information was false but ran it anyway, then it's libel or slander no matter WHAT medium is used to spread it.

@Akemi, those political ads are misleading, but not false. There's always just enough truth in them to avoid slander or libel charges. They'll take one small comment or fact and build an entire ad campaign around it while ignoring any mitigating facts that should also be considered.
3

aedfedJan. 14, 2013 - 11:44PM JST

First, it would have to be libel because slander involves a spoken statement (unless the question also meant to include podcasts). Second, are there countries where bloggers and tweeters aren't subject to libel laws?
0

AiserXJan. 15, 2013 - 10:29AM JST

Who says bloggers and tweeters are NOT subject to slander laws? If it can be proven they knew the information was false but ran it anyway, then it's libel or slander no matter WHAT medium is used to spread it.

Slander is when you purposely lie to incinerate the reputation of another individual to advance a view, an action or out of grudge. If I was campaigning for office and label my opponent Mr. John Doh as a "child molester" with no proof but just spouting words then that is what slander really is. Of course even such speech should be protected from "anti slander" laws. As such laws are used to protects certain segments of people while using the emotions of the public whom think they can do "good" via Govt legislation as the means to pass their special privileges. Chinese CCP members are all protected by anti-slander laws under penalty of death or incarceration (kidnapping).
1

combinibentoJan. 15, 2013 - 12:10PM JST

Second, are there countries where bloggers and tweeters aren't subject to libel laws?

Exactly! The question is framed wrong and assumes certain categories of people are immune from defamation laws. EVERYONE is subject to those laws. Not just traditional print media.
1

jessebaybayJan. 16, 2013 - 12:29AM JST

How would they even enforce the laws? If a blogger from france writes false or misleading information about someone or something who is another country (lets just say the US). How would they enforce punishment?

Not too mention the anonymity of users on the web.

Trying to enforce anything on the internet is and always will be a bad idea. It is what it is.
1

WillemJan. 16, 2013 - 03:25AM JST

jessebaybayJan. 16, 2013 - 12:29AM JST Trying to enforce anything on the internet is and always will be a bad idea.

Indeed, it's never going to work. Create a false name for yourself, use Tor or just an proxy with enough add-ons and you can say whatever you want. It's just like piracy; unstoppable. The more people are watched and punished, the more they are going to resist.
1

DisillusionedJan. 16, 2013 - 12:40PM JST

Yes, of course! They can start with my ex-wife's MIXI blog!