Facebook and Twitter have driven a rise in online defamation claims, with research indicating that the number of internet libel cases has doubled.
In the last year 16 libel claimants cited material published on the internet in their legal actions.
This compares to just seven cases the year before, according to statistics complied by legal information firm Sweet and Maxwell
The rise has been disclosed as social networking websites become the new front line in the debate over Britainââ¬â¢s libel laws.
In March, Colin Elsbury, a Caerphilly county councillor, was ordered to pay ã3,000 damages and costs to a political rival over false claims of wrongdoing he made on Twitter.
And in May it was revealed that South Tyneside Council went to court in the United States to force the website to reveal the identities of an anonymous user it claimed had libelled officials.
Korieh Duodu, a media barrister at Addleshaw Goddard, said libellous claims could spread on Facebook and Twitter quickly without being checked by professional journalists.
ââ¬ÅSuch is the speed at which information travels through social networks that one unchecked comment can spread into the mainstream media within minutes, which can cause irreparable damage to the subject who has been wronged,ââ¬Â he said.
Despite the rise in online defamation claims, the figures also show that celebrities are using libel laws less. Instead, they are attempting to suppress stories using human rights legislation.
Sweet and Maxwell said only nine celebrities claimed for libel in the year to 31 May, compared to 22 in the previous 12 months.
ââ¬ÅThe increased use of anonymity orders in privacy claims has enabled well-known individuals to prevent anything being published at all,ââ¬Â said Mr Duodu.
ââ¬ÅThis will in some cases prevent the need for the individual to sue for libel after the event.
Social networking websites are also challenging privacy laws, however.
Full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...witter-drive-rise-in-online-libel-claims.html
What are your thoughts on allowing these defamation claims?
In the last year 16 libel claimants cited material published on the internet in their legal actions.
This compares to just seven cases the year before, according to statistics complied by legal information firm Sweet and Maxwell
The rise has been disclosed as social networking websites become the new front line in the debate over Britainââ¬â¢s libel laws.
In March, Colin Elsbury, a Caerphilly county councillor, was ordered to pay ã3,000 damages and costs to a political rival over false claims of wrongdoing he made on Twitter.
And in May it was revealed that South Tyneside Council went to court in the United States to force the website to reveal the identities of an anonymous user it claimed had libelled officials.
Korieh Duodu, a media barrister at Addleshaw Goddard, said libellous claims could spread on Facebook and Twitter quickly without being checked by professional journalists.
ââ¬ÅSuch is the speed at which information travels through social networks that one unchecked comment can spread into the mainstream media within minutes, which can cause irreparable damage to the subject who has been wronged,ââ¬Â he said.
Despite the rise in online defamation claims, the figures also show that celebrities are using libel laws less. Instead, they are attempting to suppress stories using human rights legislation.
Sweet and Maxwell said only nine celebrities claimed for libel in the year to 31 May, compared to 22 in the previous 12 months.
ââ¬ÅThe increased use of anonymity orders in privacy claims has enabled well-known individuals to prevent anything being published at all,ââ¬Â said Mr Duodu.
ââ¬ÅThis will in some cases prevent the need for the individual to sue for libel after the event.
Social networking websites are also challenging privacy laws, however.
Full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...witter-drive-rise-in-online-libel-claims.html
What are your thoughts on allowing these defamation claims?
