Court strengthens protections for Net chat groups

CNet ^ | 02/01/2005 | Declan McCullagh

[r5boston]

In a ruling that strengthens Internet free-speech protections, a New Jersey court has said that an owner of an online discussion board is not responsible for derogatory, malicious and even potentially defamatory comments posted to it.

A New Jersey appeals court ruled Monday that the creator of the "Eye on Emerson" Web site was not liable for remarks that referred to local politicians in terms such as "hate mongering political boob" and allegations that they abused their authority over the Emerson, N.J., police department.

"In the context of traditional media, such as newspapers and magazines, the publisher of defamatory statements might well be exposed to liability for conduct such as that alleged," the judges said. But because Congress broadly immunized Internet service providers as part of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, the judges concluded, owners of discussion boards also can benefit from the law's protections.

[Calpernia]

ping

[Calpernia]

>>> "Eye on Emerson"

c@ndi with an eye?

Just speaking out loud...

Anyway, this court ruling stinks.

Not the point....the timing with the point.

This isn't about the Jersey City family, but I see this ruling as a precedent to it.

[MIT-Elephant]

Refresh my memory...what stinks about it?

[Graybeard58]

hate mongering political boob

That's rather lame. For some real put downs they ought to read some of the comments here.

[USNBandit]

Yes, it is lame but sometimes it fits quite nicely.

For example Senator Robert Byrd is a "hate mongering political boob".

See what I mean

[pennyfarmer]

Yea really Calpernia

And now my 2 cents

In a ruling that strengthens Internet free-speech protections, a New Jersey court has said that an owner of an online discussion board is not responsible for derogatory, malicious and even potentially defamatory comments posted to it. Unless it refers to Muslims as terrorists, liberals as leftist, abortion doctors as murderers, or anything positive about the US.

Oh extra points if its against Jews or Christians.

[Graybeard58]

My favorite is "Drunk Fat Ted" or "Ted The Swimmer"

Nobody on this web site has any doubt about who I am talking about

[pennyfarmer]

I thought he was a rowboat Captain. I also heard he was in a terrible rowboat accident still under investigation.

[Graybeard58]

[phoenix0468]

Greybeard, oooh you bad man bery bery bad man.

[nw_arizona_granny]

I see.

Now it will be ok for the enemy to say whatever they want,
nothing will be done.........Wake Up America.

Maybe the government would like to sponsor a feww terrorist boards, so they can have free speech.

[Calpernia]

BUMP!

And night for now.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

"hate mongering political boob"

no profanity? That would pass as high-brow political discourse on DU.

[Cindy]

Ditto.

[Velveeta]

bump