2 ms·
I think it's way more complicated than that. First you have to make a distinction between public and private persons. And then there is also the distinction bet
by im3w1l 6y ago
I think it's way more complicated than that. First you have to make a distinction between public and private persons. And then there is also the distinction between maliciously defaming someone, and passing on things you heard in good faith.
If you heard that your neighbor Bob is a creepy pedo, then warning other people is frankly natural. If you dislike Bob and make up a rumor about him that should be illegal.
For powerful public persons the balance is different. The benefits of being able to freely discuss them starts outweighing the harm they suffer from false allegations.
That's my current thinking anyway.
- gamblor956 6y agoAnd then there is also the distinction between maliciously defaming someone, and passing on things you heard in good faith. No, there isn't, morally or legally. If you make defamatory statements, it doesn't matter whether you made them up or simply heard someone else say them and are just passing them along. It's still defamatory, and that's how US law treats such statements (and how it has always treated defamatory statements). Truth is the defense to a defamation lawsuit, not "a little bird told me." TLDR: unless you actually know that Bob is a pedo because you witnessed his crimes or he has been convicted, don't defame Bob.
- im3w1l 6y agoI didn't see it myself but my wife Alice did.
- gamblor956 6y agoThat doesn't change anything.