On Sat, Mar 15, 2003 at 03:18:01PM -0800, Stevertigo wrote:
This is all just my opinion - from the POV of detachment from the potential liability of being sued by some jackass. But WikiP cant logically be held liable for issues of slander... or at least fear of a suit should not be a'feard. ( [Wikipedia Talk:Slander and Libel] ) -Stevertigo
Actually, the only logical (from a legal POV) position is that Wikipedia *IS* liable for what is written on it's pages, unless the individual Wikipedian steps forward with his identity to take the legal liability.
There is an old legal standard, that one should be able to face his accuser. Sadly, the systemic flaws in the Wikipedia will lead it into direct contact with the legal system. The legal system has a lot more clout than the Wikipedia administration does. Such entanglement is inevitable. If the wikipedia were to fix itself, instead of being a propaganda mouthpeice for a few elite groups, it would stand a much better chance of making the "common carrier" argument that the telcos use. To make that argument though, all users will have to be identified, or stand by and see their contributions deleted if they offend a litigious person.
Jonathan