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November 20, 2005

To Sue or Not to Sue (Chapter 10)

If Shakespeare were alive today, he might ponder that very question. But since he isn’t and we are, we need to be aware, Gillmor points out, that bloggers and “netizens” can be sued for infractions ranging from libel to misguided links. Add the complex jurisdiction issue and one should think carefully about the content of his or her blogs.

“First, he [David L. Marburger, 1st Amendment Attorney] told me, anyone who writes regularly on the Net about other people or institutions should try to be insured against libel.” (193)

That may not be practical for the average blogger or journalist. Gillmor does note that a blogger cannot be sued for the comments from contributors. It seems to me this equates to a crime reporter attributing all accusations rather than making them him or herself.

Posted by NancyGregg at November 20, 2005 9:49 PM