Be careful what you post...

[IrishLion]

You could get sued.

Beware, NSFW-ish headline at link. F-Bomb present.

 

[Corry]

That's crazy

 

[GoldenDome]

That's crazy

I know right. Western Michigan actually has a message board. Blew my mind.

 

[BeauBenken]

Well that's bullshit. I would hate it too if someone spread rumors about me online too, but this should not be considered defamation or slander. A message board cannot be considered a reputable news source. Essentially you're able to be sued for just passing along information that is incorrect even when you were not the person who created the information.

What's next? NeuteredDoomer sues us all for carrying on the idea that he was actually a deer?

 

[BeauBenken]

Online commenters sued for alleged defamation by supporter of Western Michigan University athletics | MLive.com

"Defendants even stated that these allegations are not rumors, but true facts," according to the lawsuit. "As of December 23, 2014, the 'Fire Fleck' thread had been viewed 202,263 times. The 'Fire Fleck' thread on CSNbbs.com and its contents have also been shared and/or referenced on numerous other internet posting boards, including boards for Northern Illinois University and Michigan State University sports."

Okay, that makes more sense. They claimed these things to be fact, but still...it's a freaking message board. And according to the posters, they were debating whether or not it was true. It was rumor.

"It's message board nonsense," Foster said.

 

[tko]

For the record, Neutered s/b allowed back! Maybe he's taking medicine now?

 

[IrishLax]

Well that's bullshit. I would hate it too if someone spread rumors about me online too, but this should not be considered defamation or slander. A message board cannot be considered a reputable news source. Essentially you're able to be sued for just passing along information that is incorrect even when you were not the person who created the information.

What's next? NeuteredDoomer sues us all for carrying on the idea that he was actually a deer?

PANDFAN for all of us labeling him a lover of pandas....

 

[DonnieNarco]

Reminds me of this hilarious case.

Vogel v. Felice | California Anti-SLAPP Project

 

[Rhode Irish]

Well that's bullshit. I would hate it too if someone spread rumors about me online too, but this should not be considered defamation or slander. A message board cannot be considered a reputable news source. Essentially you're able to be sued for just passing along information that is incorrect even when you were not the person who created the information.

What's next? NeuteredDoomer sues us all for carrying on the idea that he was actually a deer?

Strongly disagree. You can't have a policy that allows for people to intentionally try to ruin somebody's life with baseless accusations with impunity. These boards are not the New York Times, but if you are trying to pass off false information as fact with the intent to injure someone's reputation then you should be held accountable.

 

[dshans]

Whew!

I'm glad that my armchair opinion is aligned with some ESQs on the board.


Side note:
I must say that I get a kick out of the U.S adapting/adjusting the British meaning of the designation "Esquire" to an Attorney/Lawyer of either gender. I watched a lot of Bugs Bunny cartoons as a wee lad ...

 

[DonnieNarco]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if it's a reputable news source. If it's published, unless it's parody, it's libel.

 

[dshans]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if it's a reputable news source. If it's published, unless it's parody, it's libel.

Parody and satire, as I understand, fall under free speech. Outside of that, creation and repetition dissemination do not.

 

[koonja]

I'd like to sue IF for having been called a racist. Pham, will you be my attorney in this matter?

 

[Rhode Irish]

Parody and satire, as I understand, fall under free speech. Outside of that, creation and repetition dissemination do not.

I also think things like the National Enquirer are regarded as being known bullshit (not a legal term) and therefore aren't held to the same standard.

 

[scUM Hater]

Funny thing about all of this. Fleck has cheated with multiple women, common known fact in the Kalamazoo area. The Zeigler chick is trying to save her future lifestyle after Fleck takes a major job and she is left in KZOO.

 

[scUM Hater]

Crap, I will now be apart of this lawsuit...slander...The whole KZOO area could sue the Zeigler family for price gouging on vehicles.

 

[koonja]

If we're being sued based on what we say, I'd like to go down with a big 'ole fuccccccccck Michigan and eat a bag of dicks, Hairball.

 

[zelezo vlk]

If we're being sued based on what we say, I'd like to go down with a big 'ole fuccccccccck Michigan and eat a bag of dicks, Hairball.

If charges will be pressed based on our individual posts, you better run to Thailand now.

 

[PANDFAN]

PANDFAN for all of us labeling him a lover of pandas....

Just filed! The American dream, file a law suit and win and collect....you're all going down

 

[BeauBenken]

Strongly disagree. You can't have a policy that allows for people to intentionally try to ruin somebody's life with baseless accusations with impunity. These boards are not the New York Times, but if you are trying to pass off false information as fact with the intent to injure someone's reputation then you should be held accountable.

The problem is that to my understanding, it wasn't being passed as fact. (Thought the lawyers said it was.) Not to mention if they were not the source of the information, how are they supposed to be held to blame for just passing along information?

Truth is, due to the whole thing being deleted, we will never know exactly what was said, suggested, claimed to be fact, or if there was some sort of bad intent.

Side note: what if she had done it? And what if she had done it, and it becomes public knowledge? Is she held to the same standards of defamation for dragging the posters through the muck?

 

[dshans]

If charges will be pressed based on our individual posts, you better run to Thailand now.

I hear that Thailand has good, inexpensive food.

And reasonably priced poontang.

So sue me, Bangkok!

The Beat Goes On.

As it should. As it Will.




Come back NeuteredDean, Neutered Dean ...

 

[palinurus]

There's such a thing as a libel-proof plaintiff. Dangerous ice she's treading, because don't these charges open up her life to examination?

https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-90115540/libel-proof-plaintiff-defense-wins-some-loses-some

Edit: As I read it, I guess not. But won't she have to prove they said it with knowledge it was false or reckless disregard of the truth? Tough to prove?