Replies to post #1871 on The Question and Answer Board (IHUB)

[Was (Bob)]

I don't know that it's libel but I don't know that the statement is true or not either? A person makes a statement like that, and
you want to know how they know this. A response of 'well, I have my sources" what does that mean? maybe he hears
voices in his head, or he has 'visions". so lets say the person posts things that were or turned out to be true in the past.
that doesn't mean that THIS statement is true.

but I was trying to say that there must be SOME things that even you would say, gee maybe that kind of stuff shouldn't be
posted, it's really getting close at a minimum to crossing the line of what is libelous and what isn't and it PROBABLY is
libelous, in the absence of proof. and comon guys, lets show a little restraint here. and so, I believe that there are cases as
I said, that, if there's a situation where errors are being made, maybe it's better to err on the side of the recipient of the
post by removing the post, rather than err on the side of poster by allowing those types of posts to remain.

No, we're dealing with the subject of "libel" and whether or not I should delete alleged libel. The only way we can deal with it head-on (as I'm fully expected to do by everyone else) is to deal with it very directly and very simply. People have been holding my feet to the fire on this one, so let's try the warm-tootsie thing right here.

So, let me rephrase the original post and clarify a bit.

Company YYZ issues a press release saying they have acquired a freighter and includes a comment from the CEO stating that they're refurbishing the ship and looking forward to using it to deliver bottled air to Hawaii.

BOP quotes the press release and in his post he says "The CEO is blatantly lying to everyone. That freighter is a rusting hulk that was scuttled a year ago. "

Is it libel?

Again, nobody knows at this point whether the CEO really did lie. All we know is the press release and BOP's post.

Edit: Lemme add something in here since you at least partially addressed the "libel" issue in your reply.

I don't know that it's libel but I don't know that the statement is true or not either?

And neither do I.

But if someone says that they know it's libel, does that make it libel?

[Was (Bob)]

Actually, just caught another part that should be addressed for purposes of clarification of our position.

but I was trying to say that there must be SOME things that even you would say, gee maybe that kind of stuff shouldn't be posted,

Of course. Things like threats, personal attacks, etc.

But regarding "libel", it's not good enough to say "Well, there are SOME things I don't want posted because they really shouldn't be posted." That's not just gray. That's a paisley sofa cover in a black and white photograph.

Let's develop on the previous scenario. What we've covered so far is that BOP said that the CEO was lying in a recent press release.

Now, suppose the chairman of that board deletes the post because it's libel.

That's all we know so far.

Do I restore the post or do I leave it deleted?

A clear, simple answer please, because this is very much a "Yes/No" thing and if I can't get away with not making a direct do-or-don't decision on this matter, neither can anyone who wants to change how I handle such a specific part of my job.

Anyone is invited to answer. I'll answer in my next post.