Quick Hits: Blog libel

http://wilmingtonshame.blogspot.com/

This the blog Goss is after. He ought to know nothing good comes of doing the dirty work of his two disgraced colleagues from SE NC.

I think Laura's got it right too, especially the part about the fear of torts thing. But unless the criminal (Class II Misdemeanor) aspects of this bill are removed, there's even more at stake here. The fine of one penny might sound like the intent is a "harmless lesson", but the criminal record itself will follow the person forever. Future employment (or advancement) problems, other subsequent civil/criminal proceedings tainted (child custody, etc.), and even aspirations for public office can be snuffed during an ugly campaign.

The best solution to reign in blogs that are "out of control" is total transparency by public officials. When you close the door to that backroom, people are forced to speculate based on limited information. When that speculation is wrong, part of the responsibility lies with those who keep the truth close to their vests.

I wish I understood the actual proposed legislation better, but since by the sponsor's admission, a big chunk of the draft was a "mistake," it's kind of hard to make sense of it.

I agree that Laura probably has it right. Hard to explain otherwise.

Laura Leslie probably has that one right.

Missed that one. Added.

— RTB 

Jeff Taylor notes the relative tameness of NC's blog culture and says that "the way his bill is written, I think it may criminalize virtually all text message traffic — at least among teen-agers."