Sarah Jones is a former Bengals cheerleader. Image: Erik Eckel / Flickr |
In a landmark case decided upon last year, former Bengals
cheerleader Sarah Jones won a federal defamation lawsuit against gossip the
site TheDirty.com, which posted slanderous images and content about Jones’
sexuality and personal life. According to presiding Judge William Bertelsman,
TheDirty.com was not shielded by the Communications Decency Act of 1996, in
this case. Jones won the suit in a $338,000 settlement with help from a
unanimous jury in the somewhat precedent-setting case, which is now currently
being appealed by TheDirty.com.
Explains
prominent legal analyst Kendall Coffey, “This case could be a powerhouse
depending on where it goes from here,” of the ways in which this case could
deeply affect freedom of expression on the Internet. “The judge thought there
were some distinctive facts that’s saying basically the Internet Publisher
[TheDirty.com founder Nik Richie] was in a way, complicity, encouraged, and
incited by these kind of attacks. We’ve got to watch this one closely because
this could really have a transformational effect on the way comments are being
posted and the way Internet publishers are allowing or disallowing them.” In
regards to Sarah Jones v. TheDirty.com, Richie’s
involvement in the defamation of Ms. Jones extended beyond just posting
slanderous information about her to the posting of his personal comments about
the content. By commenting on the content, he deeply incriminated himself,
which was a huge factor in his loss of the lawsuit last year.
As Richie appeals the court’s decision on behalf of his
gossip website, the Internet’s most influential networks wait for what could be
a landmark decision pertaining to freedom of expression online. This case
represents uncharted territory, and what comes next will be incredibly
important. Learn more about the developing story at
USA Today.
Post a Comment