Re:What Should Be Done About Social Media?
by brg on Tuesday November 17, 2020 @12:47AM
(#25120659)
I think one answer is a new, lighter weight libel law that is a civil offense.
At the moment, current libel and defamation laws in the US have too high a test to overcome. In particular, the public figure can be stretched to cover online profiles. The tests of negligence and malice are also too strict.
Strict liability for untrue or derogatory statements posted on social media platforms could make the poser liable for 5k to 10k fines. This would go a long way in making discourse more factual and stemming hyperbole.
At the moment, current libel and defamation laws in the US have too high a test to overcome. In particular, the public figure can be stretched to cover online profiles. The tests of negligence and malice are also too strict.
Strict liability for untrue or derogatory statements posted on social media platforms could make the poser liable for 5k to 10k fines. This would go a long way in making discourse more factual and stemming hyperbole.