ECHR rules that websites are liable for users' comments

[JohnB]

I see that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recently ruled that the Estonian news site Delfi may be held responsible for anonymous and allegedly defamatory comments by its readers/users. The decision is a warning to website owners everywhere!

[DickyP]

Surely this is a good thing - long overdue.

[Tiger_in_Birmingham]

censorship of the internet a good thing

all comments need moderating before being visible, massive overheads for any site offering a forum or discussion area - yes, a great idea

[h's dad]

censorship of the internet a good thing

all comments need moderating before being visible, massive overheads for any site offering a forum or discussion area - yes, a great idea

Isn't it a good thing that people and organisations are obliged to take and share in responsibility for their actions or actions that that they positively allow and encourage? Libel laws clearly need updating for the modern era.

[fleabane]

The publisher of a newspaper or book is legally liable for what each contains. A website is no different. People are still responsible for what they write or post, and so freedom of the Internet is not at risk, if the publisher or website thinks the article ok.

The consideration always has to weigh in the interest of the injured party if there is defamation or damage, and not the interest of the casual troll.

The ruling will cause a headache to many operators of fora, like our own, and I think many will disappear rather than moderate themselves. This will not stop people's ability to express their opinions on the web, as any blogger will tell you.