There is a website called facebook and there was an individual who created a group that slanders me. Its ruining my life and reputation. I reported the group and the individual and I haven't heard anything from the report center. As far as I know this group is still running. In this group I have been specifcly called a stalker and for women to watch out for me. These are serious false aligations. Is there any legal thing I can do with the website or individual?
2007-07-23 14:04:00 · 11 answers · asked by waynnie_2000 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
This is the url for it. I need everyone to go to that webpage and report it asap. Thnx
2007-07-23 14:58:26 · update #1
This is the url for it.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2540440438
I need everyone to go to this site and report this group.
2007-07-23 14:59:32 · update #2
go to the police w/ the group page link and the name of the individaul that is doing it. It is illegal to slander.
2007-07-23 14:07:47 · answer #1 · answered by gbpackers_fan1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can understand your concerns and the problems encountered by these people. The famous words of Shakespeare come to mind when he said "the pen is mightier than the sword".
I wish to correct a few things which have been stated. First of all under the Defamation Act writing, drawings (and even a figurine) are not SLANDER. They are libel because they are written or "addressed to the eye". However, the 2 can go hand in hand in that someone may write something malicious about a persons character and at the same time say malicious remarks to others verbally. Slander is more difficult to prove.
You first need to establish whether the words themselves are libellous. To call someone a "stalker" clearly is but no liabliity would lie if the words are TRUE! A person can incur liability for defamation is they write or say things knowing they are untrue, say them recklessly or without regard to the truth.
If I say someone is a "rapist" and BELIEVE it's true that will not prevent me from incurring liability if it is not true of a person.
The problem with suing for a case in libel is that it's a rich man's game. You need to have the wealth of Bill Gates to start an action! Furthermore, you would need to find the individual concerned. In the days of technology it's not like someone working for a major newspaper. How would you do it and convince a court that it is them?
In defamation a person or persons are guilty of "secondary publication". They have a defence if they did not know or had no reason to believe the article published contained libellous comments. (THIS WAS WHEN I STUDIED IT!)
Please consider that since the advent of the net all this may have changed!
You could have made a claim perhaps in the tort of "malicious" or "injurious falsehood" but as the statements made are referring to your character this would be of no avail.
When the person signed up to the website they must have complied with certain terms and conditions. Even if they did not read them and "ticked" a box they are bound by them. They probably agreed not to make postings that cause "annoyance" or "threaten" or "harass" others. These are common clauses.
So, what can be done? Under the tort of negligence the website will owe a duty to other users. If they fail in their duty and someone is injured by their acts or omissions they can be sued. However, to successfully sue under this tort you need to prove "damage". You may be upset or angry at the remarks made but that is not sufficient to sue! You would need to prove a clearly categorised medical condition.
Other factors:
Where is the website based? If they are a US concern, as many are, then it would need to be taken through the US courts and subject to US law. A frightening task!
You could inform the website that remarks have been made about you which are clearly defamatory and rely in their compliance.
What if they don't? The company themselves will be hosted via another webhosting concern e.g. www.godaddy.com and they will have made contract to not make defamatory remarks or caused to be posted etc. If they don't comply threaten them and tell them you will go to the domain name registrant and tell them to take appropriate action. Most will because they are scared themselves of litigation. The threat is usually enough. After all would you risk a $100,000 lawsuit for just $3.99 a month!!!!
I hope this has helped in some ways! Good luck!
2007-07-27 17:42:54 · answer #2 · answered by Vipguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, the website isn't "letting" anyone slander you. Those users are choosing to slander you and are most likely ABusing the website. Secondly, nicknames and avatars cannot realistically be slandered. If you are using your real name, real photo and you are reasonably well know (or can prove that your online presence is actually you) then you *may* have a slander case...
2007-07-23 23:02:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Slander is a civil matter, not a criminal one. You would have to prove that the statements caused you to lose money somehow. You are better off going to the school and reporting it to the deans office. THey could do something internally to those students participating.
2007-07-24 02:01:00 · answer #4 · answered by JR 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the website blatantly defaming you? By this, I mean is your name on the website and your picture? You would have to prove that this is a deliberate attempt to ruin your reputation. If you can do that, you could sue for defamation of character.
2007-07-23 21:09:08 · answer #5 · answered by TwinkaTee 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the statements are objectively false, you can sue the posters for damage, and sue the website to require them to remove the posts (but not the website for damages).
2007-07-23 21:10:06 · answer #6 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you should first make copies of whatever they are posting on line...save everything, this is something that will be run through civil court, slander and defamation of character is serious...i doubt the local police will do much except tell you the same thing i am...go to your local civil court and file a suit againts those whom are doing this
2007-07-23 21:14:56 · answer #7 · answered by tee_girl 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, we're talking about possible libel here, not slander. Slander is spoken - libel is printed.
2007-07-24 05:23:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find out who and visit them with some of your friends in the wee small hours !
2007-07-24 17:26:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
do the american thing: sue them for slander. get a lawyer, and prepare for some sue-happy action. also, go to the police ans see if you can press criminal charges; ruin my life, I'll ruin yours, and a criminal charge wont go away.
2007-07-23 21:12:33 · answer #10 · answered by bob 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋