1 . Libel, Slander, and Freedom of Speech and hyperlink to http://www.firstamendmentstudies.org/wp/libel.html

Defamation, Libel, and Slander Law

Then review the following scenario and apply what you have learned through the unit readings to the scenario. Then discuss what you have decided with your fellow classmates.

Scenario:

Laura, a television anchor in Minneapolis, reads the following text while on camera, “Today, John Doe was arrested and charged with child molestation. John Doe was caught after police pursued him on the freeway for 2 hours. Doe got out of his car and the police spent time on foot pursing him.”

Laura, disgusted, commented on camera, “That guy has been in trouble before. He’s lucky there wasn’t a hit and run today while he was on foot.” In fact, John Doe had never been in trouble or charged with any crime before.

Does John Doe have a cause of action against Laura for saying this? What defenses or privileges might Laura have, if any?

                       

2. The Internet and Privacy — Can the Two Co-Exist?

Find the following statute and some commentary or cases discussing its application. You can search for the American Law Reports article on the Act that is cited below. The article cites many cases involving the statute and also provides an overview of how defamation claims involving speech over the Internet work.

47 USC 230(c)(1)Communications Decency Act

52 A.L.R. Fed. 2d 37 (2011)

Using the information you have found, how would you respond to the question as to whether one may sue for defamation for something written on the Internet?