Social Media - Cyber trap door to defamation
Roč.9,č.1(2015)
Social media is increasing being used by persons worldwide. The nature and characteristics of social media serve to advance the exercise of the human right to freedom of expression. This article argues that while these qualities of social media has its positives, it also conversely exacerbate the risk of social media users being culpable for claims of defamation worldwide.
The recently enacted Jamaican Defamation Act 2013 includes provisions which are applicable to publications via social media. This article will review those.
Social Media; Online Defamation; Freedom of Expression; Jamaican Defamation Act; Internet
p. 65–84
The American Convention on Human Rights, 9 I.L.M. 673 (1970) (Nov. 22, 1969), Article 13 http://www.umn.edu/humanrts/oasinstr/zoas3con.htm. [Accessed May 11, 2015]
B & T Magazine (2013) Cannes: 'Never apologise' on 'Wild West' social media say celebs [Online] 16 June 2013 Available from: http://www.bandt.com.au/news/advertising/cannes-never-apologise-onwild-west-social-media-s [Access: May11, 2015]
The Charter of Rights of Jamaica
Dow Jones & Company Inc v Gutnick [2002] HCA 56
European Convention on Human Rights
Facebook 2014, http://newsroom.fb.com/company-info/ [Accessed May 11, 2015]
Hill v Church of Scientology of Toronto (1995) 126 DLR (4d) 129, para 120 and 121
Internet World Statistics 2010, http://www.internetworldstats.com/car/jm.htm [Accessed May 11, 2015]
Kaplan, A., Haenlein, M., (2010) Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media, Business Horizons, Volume 53, Issue 1, Pages 59–68 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003
International Telecommunications Union (2013), http://www.itu.int/ITUD/icteye/Reporting/ShowReportFrame.aspx?ReportName=/WTI/InformationTechnologyPublic&ReportFormat=HTML4.0&RP_intYear=2012&RP_intLanguageID=1&RP_bitLiveData=False. [Accessed June 30, 2013]
Meiklejohn, A.(1948) Free Speech and Its Relation to Self-Government. New York, NY: Harper.
Milmo, P and Rogers, W. V. H.(1998) Gatley on Libel and Slander, 9th ed. London: Sweet & Maxwell, Para: 1.3
Moon, R.. (2009) The Social Character Of Freedom Of Expression, The Amsterdam Law Forum, Vo1.2, pg 45
Nielson 2012, State Of The Media - The Social Media Report 2012 http://cn.nielsen.com/documents/Nielsen-Social-Media-
Report_FINAL_090911.pdf [Accessed May 11, 2015]
R v. Home secretary ex. p Simms [2000] AC 115 at p 126
Secretary of State for the Home Department, Ex Parte Simms Secretary of State for the Home Department, Ex Parte O'Brien [2000] 2 AC 115
Sim v. Stretch [1936] 2 All E.R. 1237
Zuckerberg, M. 2014, Today is Facebook's 10th anniversary. https://www.facebook.com/zuck/posts/10101250930776491 [Accessed May 11, 2015]
Copyright © 2015 Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology