4 ms·

> So? So is calling people "rapists" (without proof or conviction), but we don't outlaw it. Yet we do: http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_stgb/englisch

• tomp 11y ago
  Hm... either I'm reading this incorrectly, or this only applies to > a national, racial, religious group or a group defined by their ethnic origins Can you clarify why insulting someone with "rapist" is outlawed?
  • isolate 11y ago
    If you publish it, it's libel. There's a difference between "so-and-so is an asshole" (not a fact, haha), and "so-and-so committed a crime" (a fact). Whether it's a civil or criminal matter depends on the jurisdiction. The UN is against criminalizing defamation because it limits freedom of expression.
  • Mithaldu 11y ago
    > Can you clarify why insulting someone with "rapist" is outlawed? In case the second link did not lead you to the correct section: Section 186 Defamation Whosoever asserts or disseminates a fact related to another person which may defame him or negatively affect public opinion about him, shall, unless this fact can be proven to be true, be liable to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine and, if the offence was committed publicly or through the dissemination of written materials (section 11(3)), to imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine.
    • tomp 11y ago
      OK, thanks. So free speech is limited even more than I thought :) But at least you're consistent, I'll give you that.