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Postings more likely slander than libel
Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 3:06 pm
by birdman
I have often wondered about threads or conversations on forums, bulletin boards or “live chat” because often things can be said in the heat of the moment that may upset others. On occasion I have heard the words “slander” and “libel” quoted back as a response.
I had this sent to me recently for a read and it seems pretty clear and I thought I would post it for everyone’s delight and delectation:
http://www.out-law.com/page-9330
Re: Postings more likely slander than libel
Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 5:10 pm
by Max Roberts
How dare you!! That's slanderous...No sorry. It's Libelous..Actually, it's an interesting article. Thanks
Re: Postings more likely slander than libel
Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 5:53 pm
by Keith Hewitt
I once asked an Australian whats the difference between slander and libel.
He explained that slander is when you say something bad about another person
Libel is something you stick on an envelope

Re: Postings more likely slander than libel
Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 6:15 pm
by prospero
In NZ, 'sex' is what they keep potatoes in.
I would think any derogatory comments on the web would come under Libel. Although, both slander and libel are civil matters in law. You have to prosecute them yourself and pay for the privilege. Lots of people have done this over the flimsiest of slights and ended up coughing up huge amounts of money. I seem to remember the actor William Roache (Ken in Corrie) bringing a case against someone who refered to him as 'boring'. He lost a packet. What he was thinking of gawd knows..... Anyhow, to have any chance of actually winning a case you would have to not only prove that the person concerned actually typed the words, (a good lawyer would cast doubt on that) but also that the deformation had affected you in a manner that deserved compensation. If it was just a matter of lost income it would be easy to quantify. But what price hurt feelings? That's when the going gets tricky. (And Expensive).
I Rest My Case.

Re: Postings more likely slander than libel
Posted: Tue 05 Apr, 2011 7:39 pm
by John
Thanks for that Birdman.
It is reassuring to note that in the matter of defamation, the High Court judge,
Mr Justice Eady, and I share the same view. Defamation has not necessarily occurred just because someone feels aggrieved by a post on our forum.
Mr. Justice Eady wrote:…comments were likely to be protected as fair comment, which means that they cannot count as defamation as long as they are posted without malice and represent the poster's honest views.
Re: Postings more likely slander than libel
Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 7:15 am
by birdman
And it's the same old story
Everywhere I go
I get slandered, libeled
I hear words I never heard in the Bible
And I'm so tired
I'm oh so tired
But I'm trying to keep my customers satisfied
Satisfied
Thank you Simon and Garfunkel.
Sticks and stones may break some bones but they need some glass and backing to make a proper frame.

Re: Postings more likely slander than libel
Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 11:59 am
by Vix
or as my five year old niece would say,
"build a bridge and get over it!"

Re: Postings more likely slander than libel
Posted: Wed 06 Apr, 2011 12:42 pm
by barefaced framer
"build a bridge and get over it!" :
Barefaced framer likes this
