“We The Media” Chapter 10
Nov 11th, 2008 by ariannarana
I thought chapter 10 was really interesting, because often times when reading absurd things online I wonder how people aren’t sued for libel. In this chapter, Gilmor discusses the responsibilities as well as the consequences for posting libelous things on to online forums and blogs. Libel is only one of the many legal issues that arises in online spheres, Gilmor wrote. Libel applies to everyone posting online, even in chatrooms, not just those who consider themselves journalists. Other legal issues include copyright, linking, jurisdiction and liability for what others say on your site.
The Internet has made it very hard to monitor what is posted, especially cheating in forms of plagiarism. Trademark laws, property rights, and forbidden linking have had huge problems with online postings. The terms and conditions are somewhat technical, so I would suggest reading them over in chapter 10 for a greater understanding of what can get an online user in trouble with the law.
But it all seems to me like nothing online is well-monitored at all. I’ve seen plenty of things online that could constitute for libel and you don’t hear about much going on as far as law suits go, but as far as Gilmor’s advise, I think it’s just to use common sense and not post anything harmful or damaging to anyone’s reputation, especially lawyers, doctors, government officials and companies. A lawsuit would be enough for a journalist to go bankrupt and close their site down and shut them up!