My brother, a mass communications student at Harding, often asks me for help on his assignments.
The latest one was on finding examples of journalism privacy laws.
You know, libel, false light, intrusion, appropriation, public disclosure ... all those things you talk about over your morning coffee at the diner.
In today’s technology-driven world, these issues arise quickly and often. Social networking sites make it easy for everyday people to be caught up in libel lawsuits.
For example, in Knoxville, Tenn., a marketing firm sued the Pizza Kitchen for its Facebook and Twitter comments. The company posted entries calling the marketing company “crooks” and making other accusations.
So, the Pizza Kitchen now faces a $2 million suit ... for making comments on Facebook. Wow.
OK, how about this one?
Ever received poor service at a business and afterward felt dissatisfied with the company? Of course, and then you want to tell everyone not to go there, right?
Justin Kurtz, a student at Western Michigan University, felt that way after an experience he had with a towing company.
So he created a Facebook group called “Kalamazoo Residents against T&J Towing.”
The towing company alleged that his page amounted to libel and character defamation and is suing him for $750,000.
Kurtz said the site does not have any untrue statements and does not threaten the company at all. He merely encouraged others to share their stories about the company, he said.
I found the group, which now has 7,543 members thanks to all the media attention in the wake of the lawsuit. Many of the comments are from people taking Kurtz’s side, telling him “We got your back.”
I always thought it’d be a good prank to create a Facebook page for one of my friends with funny comments about them.
I rethought that once I read about Mathew Firsht. A school friend set up a page using his name and put claims that Firsht had lots of money, among other details.
Some information was correct, such as his birthday and activities, but things like his sexuality and political views were not.
Firsht sued his former friend and won $60,000. Apparently they had a falling out and the former friend claimed the page had been created by other people during a party at his house.
Definitely makes me rethink that prank idea.
Features / Living
Monica Faram: Facebook + libel = lawsuits
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