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
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