Twitter: Libel or Freedom of Speech?
Twitter is viagrae of the fastest growing social networks, linking people all over the world. Billions of tweets fly through the Twittersphere each day, but one particular tweet has caused quite the upset.
Under the username @abonnen Amanda Bonnen complained about her Chicago apartment owned by Horizon Realty. The apartment at 4242 N. Sheridan is just one of about 1,500 other properties owned by the company. This one tweet that only reached about 20 different followers has landed the women in court being sued for $50,000 on charges of libel.
Horizon’s Jeffrey Michael told the Sun-Times, “The statements are obviously false, and it’s our intention to prove that”, adding that Horizon has a good reputation to protect. Bonnen wasn’t contacted before the suit was filed or asked to remove the Tweet. He continued to say, “We’re a sue first, ask questions later kind of an organization.”
Where is the line between freedom of speech and libel? It seems to be a very easily blurred line. Did Amanda Bonnen have the right say what she did? If she had worded it differently would it not have been taken as libel?
What do you think? Should she be sued or exonerated?
In Horizon’s Side, they are a company and things like this can really look bad, especially on a site seen by everybody. So I understand how they are protective of their reputation, because it seems they have nothing to hide. It seems like this person is pretty negative and judgmental anyways, just saying whatever tactless thing they feel like. I mean, I rarely ever eat fast food, and I feel it is perfectly fine when I occasionally do and I may have been one of the people they were judging.
Anyways, I think this person should be more careful especially on the net, because a lot of translation is lost when there is no body language or human emotion in place with the words.
I can understand that. But I think it is worse for the company to get a reputation for ‘sewing first and asking questions later.’ I know that I would not go into business with a company who had that as their policy.
I approve of her judgment-making rights and abilities. Lack of tact has more worth than attempting to please.
Though I do understand the company’s reputation I think this is an overly harsh and thoroughly “inhuman” activity. Clearly anyone looking to this company will think twice before signing up with “a sue first, ask questions later kind of an organization.” (I’m not sure which PR guru let you get away with that but I suggest that if you’re REALLY worried about your image a rectification there would be an excellent place to start.)
Seriously, it feels like they’ve done the math and decided that suing the shit of out a citizen would cost less than the publication of tests which would as easily prove their point. Dick move, Horizon.
She may not be the most classy woman around, but I don’t see how that gives any right to sue? If tweeting your opinion was worthy cause for a lawsuit, Barack Obama would have been in a courtroom since the moment he appeared in the public eye. Along with.. well, everyone.
Not too much to say on this one. Bad call Horizon. I hope Abonnen raises hell. I know I would.