Even Threatening Tweets are Free Speech, Judge Rules

CommanderFrank

CommanderFrank

Cat Can't Scratch It
Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
75,399
A federal court judge has ruled in favor of the defendant in a case that set a legal precedent in the very gray area of Internet law. The ruling classifies a Tweet as a protected form of free speech and is protected from prosecution under the law. The ruling could have far reaching and long lasting consequences.

Harassing messages posted to Twitter or blog sites are the digital equivalent of soapbox rants, and are thus protected forms of free speech.
Click to expand...
 
Hooray for a "news" article where author cannot tell the difference between a civil and criminal wrong! This is what civil suits are for. The state should not be involved.
 
Teenyman45 said:
Hooray for a "news" article where author cannot tell the difference between a civil and criminal wrong! This is what civil suits are for. The state should not be involved.
Click to expand...

How could this possibly be ground for a civil suit either? We might as well start suing ex girlfriends for saying hurtful things during a breakup.
 
Free speech protection doesn't protect you from libel or defamation lawsuits. The internet has proven that many people don't understand that.
 
Kuraudo said:
How could this possibly be ground for a civil suit either? We might as well start suing ex girlfriends for saying hurtful things during a breakup.
Click to expand...

Microsoft has been using this argument for a long time for its bans on Live. Most people forget that "Freedom of Speech" et al. is a right guaranteed by the government NOT by private parties (including businesses). If one party wants to sue another party, they have every right. ...just as if Twitter wanted to delete that psychotic ramblings.
 
This is all moot by now. The Saudi prince will either hang, stone, amputate or cane anyone who offends him directly or indirectly or when something has nothing to do with him on Twitter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top