DCWatch online defamation case
p2pnet.net news:- “The Internet has played host to a renaissance of political speech, facilitating discussion on issues of local, national, and international importance,” says Marcia Hofmann. “It’s important that judges resist attempts by public officials to shut down online debate just because they don’t like the speech.”
Hofman is an EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) lawyer and her remarks refer to a defamation lawsuit lodged against non-profit DCWatch and its operators. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of the National Capital Area and EFF want it dismissed.
Run by Dorothy Brizill and Gary Imhoff, “DCWatch is an on-line magazine that covers local city politics and public affairs in Washington, D.C.,” says the site. “In addition to articles and columns about political issues and politicians, DCWatch features resources for civic activists and background material on legislation and current events in the District of Columbia.”
Its themail@dcwatch.com is an online newsletter and discussion forum reporting, analysing and commenting on local issues. Past editions are archived on the site.
“In articles printed in themail@dcwatch.com, Washington journalist Jonetta Rose Barras reported that Roslyn Johnson, then Deputy Director of Programs for the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, had inflated her employment and salary history to secure her position. A subsequent formal investigation by the D.C. Inspector General concluded that Johnson did in fact submit an inflated resume and was improperly hired for her position,” says the EFF.
“But in a lawsuit filed earlier this year, Johnson claims that these articles were defamatory, placed her in a false light, and resulted in the termination of her employment with the city. In addition to suing reporter Barras, she also sued DCWatch and its operators, claiming that their Internet publication of these articles made them responsible for their content.”
The EFF and ACLU say DCWatch and its operators are shielded by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, “which expressly protects providers or users of interactive computer services from liability in order to encourage robust debate in online discussions”.
Their motion also says Johnson’s claims should be thrown out, “because the First Amendment protects statements about public officials that are substantially true”.
In Canada, a Vancouver businessman has succeeded in casting a pall over Net activities. He claims ‘linking’ can equal ‘libelling’.
Also See:
EFF – Watchdog Organization Battles Bogus Online Defamation Case, May 10, 2007
casting a pall – Wayne Crookes sues the Net: III, May 5, 2007
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Tired of being treated like a criminal? They depend on you, not the other way around. Don’t buy their ‘product’. Do bug your local politicians. Use emails, snail-mail, phone calls, faxes, IM, stop them in the street, blog. And if you’re into organizing, organize petitions, organize demonstrations and then turn up on your local political rep’s doorstep, making sure you’ve contacted your local tv/radio station/newspaper in advance. Don’t just complain. Do something!
May 10th, 2007 at 9:33 am
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May 10th, 2007 at 9:34 am
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May 10th, 2007 at 9:34 am
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