At 02:06 PM 9/3/1999 -0500:
>Of course, how much damage is done before one discovers the site and the
defaming
>comments? For example, does the individual who has been described as a
"raging
>homosexual" and who has been the source of a list discussion for the
better part of
>a day even know that the comment is on the global network?
And if it an article appears about the professor in a student publication,
does the person know right away? What if it occurs in a national magazine
or newspaper? What if it occurs in a conversation which is overheard in the
student center and quickly spreads among some of the students?
Chances are that the person will not know about it right away and some
potential harm can happen before they are made aware of it, regardless of
where it starts. Chances are the same student who posted the comment has
already said the same thing to many of the people s/he knows on campus.
Eventually word will get back to the person about the comments, regardless
of the medium it starts in. Unless we start trying to limit what people can
say, we can not protect people from harm of this kind every minute of the
day. Now, I'm not saying that it is okay to say something inflammatory
about another person. In fact, I think it can lead to some very negative
consequences. But, they still have a right to say it, and they can (and
should) be held accountable for doing so.
- Marc
G. Marc Turner, MEd
Lecturer & Head of Computer Operations
Department of Psychology
Southwest Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 78666
phone: (512)245-2526
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] or ...
