If you're in Marion County, Indiana, the answer is Yes. A judge there has ordered the Indy Star and other news outlets to provide identifying information in a defamation suit against anonymous online commenters.
The attorney representing the plaintiffs in that matter states, "All it is is cyberbullying. And these kind of individuals need to understand there is accountability for that kind of behavior."
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Thursday, March 03, 2011
10 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Chilling.
ReplyDeleteDidnt the Governor try this and failed?
ReplyDeleteYes. The ruling is a bit of an aberration.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the cyberbullying and outright lies posted here anonymously by cowards, but anonymity also enables people to provide tips like the one I got about Morganelli yesterday.
anonmity is not cowardly at all,some of us have jobs to protect yet we do have the right to have someone like You in our corner.....there is rumor going around that the great Mayor callahan is about to pull one his stunts again and appoint Pectors relative who now works for bethlehem economic development to the director of the parking authority is this interesting or what ??????
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:22
ReplyDeleteWhen people post attacks anonymously, it is cowardice. When they post useful informative information, its okay and you are protecting your employee status. The line gets crossed alot on this website in particular with trite comments.
Agree with above. There is a personal responsibility requirement for those who post, to do so truthfully, and for those who read, to do so discerningly.
ReplyDelete"Didnt the Governor try this and failed?"
ReplyDeleteWhat?!?
My answer is no, but I"m sure you've got a cute story.
The Governor did try this, back wehen he was AG. He wanted to learn the identity of an anonymous blog that is highly critical of him, and failed.
ReplyDeleteI prefer anonymity, but I would never post anything online that I didn't want my husband or my employer to read. It's only a matter of time before the courts uniformly hold anonymous commenters responsible for what they post online, even if it's just an Amazon review. As it is now, aggregate sites can collect all your comments, if they are registered back to your e-mail account, and sell them to anyone willing to pay $3.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't like what anonymous posters post, don't allow it. Stop your bullshit about anonymous attacks. You consider anything that counters your manlove remarks about your mancrushes as a personal attack and lies.
ReplyDeleteWho is the real hypocrite