Sunday, June 08, 2003

 

I was accused of slandering someone in one of my blog entries, even though I used no names!
Here is an excerpt from the information I found at Free Advice dot com, which I quote here:

WHAT IS "DEFAMATION"?
Defamation, sometimes called "defamation of character", is spoken or written words that falsely and negatively reflect on a living person's reputation.

If a person or the news media says or writes something about you that is understood to lower your reputation, or that keeps people from associating with you, defamation has occurred. Slander and libel are two forms of defamation.

WHAT IS "SLANDER"?
Slander is a spoken defamation.

WHAT IS "LIBEL"?
Libel is a written defamation. Generally, radio and television broadcasts that are defamatory are considered to be libel, rather than slander.

...

WHAT ABOUT INSULTS AND EPITHETS? ARE THEY DEFAMATORY?

Generally, no. Usually they are seen as outbursts of emotion, with no real substance, except to show intense dislike.

DON'T I HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPRESS MY OPINION?

Yes, so long as your statement of opinion is just an opinion, not containing specific facts that can be proved untrue.

(excerpted, without permission, from a page at http://freeadvice.com

Did you see the keyword up there, "untrue" at the end of the quoted material?

The complete text where this was taken from can be found at this link to Free Advice dot com: libel and slander

And here is something else I found:

Libel and Slander

"Libel" involves the publishing of a falsehood that harms someone. Slander is the same doctrine applied to the spoken word. Collectively, they are referred to as "defamation". Both are a matter of state laws, which usually (not always) require that the falsehood be intentional.

In New York Times v. Sullivan, the Supreme Court held that the First Amendment requires that, before a public official can recover damages for a defamatory statement, he must prove it was made with "actual malice", even if state laws otherwise allow recovery for negligent defamation. The Court has since expanded this to cover not only public officials but "public figures", including individuals who involve themselves in controversies.

found at:http://www.spectacle.org

So, as you read my blog entries, and I use your name (not just an initial!) and you feel I have libeled you, since this is a form of print, not voice, then by all means, SUE ME! Or, as an alternative, email me and we can discuss it and maybe we can come to an agreement on what terms I should use. OK? Just don't send me a blast by email threatening a lawsuit unless you have a legal leg to stand on, you twit! Note, since I did not use a name, "twit" can not be considered libel, see what I mean? You frelling twit! You know who you are! (grumble, grumble, grumble...frelling idiot, fahrbot drenfaced bastard...)

Posted by: Rowlfe - at: 6/08/2003 11:15:00 PM

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