if you can get sued for defamation of character and slander?
is it only constitutionai to speak your mond as long as it does not offend anyone?
2007-09-23 05:46:19 · 6 answers · asked by jacks_insanity 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
just caught the typo , MIND , not mond, please.
2007-09-23 05:47:13 · update #1
lets, also understand the truth is being stated, not a lie.
2007-09-23 05:54:51 · update #2
You can offend anyone you want as long as you tell the truth.
Make sure you tell the truth at all times and no law suit will stick to you unless your opposition is slanderous. Then you have to sue them.
2007-09-23 06:10:17 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1st to prove slander is very hard to do. they must show that the person knowingly lied in a manner that caused harm to the person the lie was told about and that the lie hurt them in getting employment or financially.
Second freedom of speach should not overide other freedoms we have. Such as slander would interfere with the freedom of another person so it is not protected under freedom of speach.
yelling fire in a crowded room when there is no fire invades the other people's freedom to saftey which makes it not protected.
This is common sense
2007-09-23 12:57:16 · answer #2 · answered by Geoff C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not "as long as it doesn't offend anyone".
Defamation (libel or slander) are very specific torts, and "offending someone" is not one of the elements. To be unprotected speech, it must be false, and harmful to the person's reputation -- and for public figures, there are even more requirements.
Protections for speech are not absolute. And saying something false that hurts someone else -- causes actual harm to their reputation -- not just annoys someone or hurts their feelings -- that is not protected.
2007-09-23 12:54:33 · answer #3 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom of speech is provided by the constitution.
The constitution protects people from the government, it does not protect citizens from other citizens.
Therefore, your right to freedom of speech would not apply to defamation and slander.
2007-09-23 13:04:09 · answer #4 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really won't matter much longer. Get used to being politically correct and providing lip service. Example is YA. Patriotic Acts. The University Florida incident.
2007-09-23 13:02:38 · answer #5 · answered by Mildred S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter if it offends anyone, it matters if you know you are blatantly telling a lie. Especially a lie that can have a negative consequence for the person/ people/ company you are talking about.
2007-09-23 12:52:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋