Reported Post by chikrodah

chikrodah · 19-11-2007, 06:47 AM

chikrodah has reported a post.

Reason:

Quote:

Is it possible that TB could be persuaded not to post any further letters of support for his position on this subject? Other than subjecting us to the fact that he's insecure enough to need constant reassurance that he's right, this could place the forum in an invidious position should the McCanns choose to take legal action after the police investigation has finished.

Post: Tony Bennett and the McCanns
Forum: Talk About Anything
Assigned Moderators: N/A

Posted by: Tony Bennett
Original Content:

Quote:

LATEST UNSOLICITED LETTER OF SUPPORT BELOW

[Note: someone asked me to post letters of opposition I have received by e-mail. To date, I've had two, one of whom modified his position after I replied to him. Yes, I'll be happy to publish one. But since the preponderance of 'support' letters to 'antis' is currently over 250 to 1, I'll be happy to publish one of the two 'anti' letters I've received once I've posted, say, at least 100 letters of support. Agreed?]

QUOTE

Dear Mr. Bennett,

Just a quick email to express my 100% support for your brave attempt to bring the McCanns to justice for child negligence.

I have been a member of the Daily Mirror Forum on this case for the last 6 months - like most people on there I was drawn to the Forum because of my disgust that two doctors should leave 3 children under the age of 4 unattended at night, in an unlocked apartment with a main road on one side and a swmming pool on the other, in order to go and drink with their mates in a bar.

Leaving suspicions about any involvement in the disappearance aside, I am sickened and embarassed (in front of my Italian relatives) that many British celebrities seem to condone the McCanns' actions in leaving their children or make excuses for them: e.g. Fiona Philips, Richard & Judy, Alison Pearson, Tony Parsons.

Like many members of the Forum, I know a lot of the links and sources for info. off by heart, so if you need help in sourcing something I will try to help, but please keep my personal details anonymous.

Good luck with the proceedings.

Justice for Madeleine.

[Name and address withheld]

UNQUOTE

C_steam · 19-11-2007, 11:37 AM

Hmm. It is possible, I suppose, that TB is posting 'made up' messages which may at some point contain actual libellous statements but I think this unlikely. Without any clues as to who 'really' wrote them it is difficult, but I would say that TB anyway would have to take responsibility for their content, as he is the 'poster' and therefore responsible for the accuracy and veracity of his posts.

chikrodah · 19-11-2007, 12:18 PM

Fair enough

pentameter · 19-11-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_steam

Hmm. It is possible, I suppose, that TB is posting 'made up' messages which may at some point contain actual libellous statements but I think this unlikely. Without any clues as to who 'really' wrote them it is difficult, but I would say that TB anyway would have to take responsibility for their content, as he is the 'poster' and therefore responsible for the accuracy and veracity of his posts.

The owner of the site and moderators have to be a bit careful about this. If a poster is making libellous posts, then yes they are responsible and can be traced through their IP address, well probably. OTOH, the owner and mods can be held to have furthered the libel if they haven't removed offending comments very quickly.

It looks like something of a minefield, especially with the cut and thrust debating culture internet message boards developed from the start.

Beware Libel on the Internet - Media Law Law Articles and News - Lawdit Reading Room

Anthony Butcher · 19-11-2007, 04:47 PM

I don't see what is libellous; by their own admission they left the children unattended in a foreign country. I suspect that there is some publicity seeking here on Mr Bennett's part, but that doesn't in any way make his case less valid.

As for libellous material, we remove it if a complaint is made here and we deem the posting to be both unlikely to be true and outside the realm of personal opinion.

In this case, it is very clearly just TB's opinion.

pentameter · 19-11-2007, 05:52 PM

I was replying to C_steam's post and he seemed to be saying that TB would be solely responsible should any of his posts prove libellous. I was merely pointing out that this isn't the case as assisting the publication of a libel is also actionable.

TB would certainly have to take responsibility were he to be publishing libellous private emails as would any website which allowed this.

I expressed no opinion as to whether TB's posts are libellous, potentially libellous or not libellous.

However, you seem to be well on top of things, so 'nuff said.

19-11-2007, 11:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
C_steam Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Paddling up 5hit creek..... Posts: 7,502	Hmm. It is possible, I suppose, that TB is posting 'made up' messages which may at some point contain actual libellous statements but I think this unlikely. Without any clues as to who 'really' wrote them it is difficult, but I would say that TB anyway would have to take responsibility for their content, as he is the 'poster' and therefore responsible for the accuracy and veracity of his posts. __________________ -------------------------------------------------- Users on ignore list: None. I've got to have people to laugh at. Cowardly Posters* list: BobFM, Bellatrix.*People who post personal insults then refuse to reply .

19-11-2007, 04:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Anthony Butcher Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Long Ashton, Bristol Posts: 9,823 Party: None	I don't see what is libellous; by their own admission they left the children unattended in a foreign country. I suspect that there is some publicity seeking here on Mr Bennett's part, but that doesn't in any way make his case less valid. As for libellous material, we remove it if a complaint is made here and we deem the posting to be both unlikely to be true and outside the realm of personal opinion. In this case, it is very clearly just TB's opinion. __________________ If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled! Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

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19-11-2007, 12:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
chikrodah Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlands Posts: 1,525	Fair enough

19-11-2007, 05:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
pentameter Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 310	I was replying to C_steam's post and he seemed to be saying that TB would be solely responsible should any of his posts prove libellous. I was merely pointing out that this isn't the case as assisting the publication of a libel is also actionable. TB would certainly have to take responsibility were he to be publishing libellous private emails as would any website which allowed this. I expressed no opinion as to whether TB's posts are libellous, potentially libellous or not libellous. However, you seem to be well on top of things, so 'nuff said.